CLASS 1A

We went 3-1 in region final picks.  Our lone setback was CFCA holding court and defeating OCP at home after OCP won at CFCA in the district tournament final.  This sets up what should be a terrific set of semi-finals as the numbers one thru four teams in the classification will be playing each other for the state title.  Defending champion Sagemont, the #1 ranked team in 1A, has been leveling opponents during the regional round.  They will face #4 ranked CFCA in the first semi-final on Thursday, March 5.  There is no question that Sagemont has the talent edge on paper, but we’ve seen that not make it to the floor come game time.  In the second semi-final that same day, #2 ranked Impact Christian will be in front of a partisan home crowd when they take on #3 Victory Christian out of Lakeland.  Victory Christian “running clocked” everyone in the regional and Impact Christian wasn’t far behind in doing the same thing to its regional opponents.  Despite being lower ranked, Victory Christian does have the edge in strength of schedule, but just slightly.  For Class 1A teams, both have good size inside, so it may come down to who can shoot the ball best from deep in an unfamiliar environment.

Best Matchup: We think the Impact Christian/Victory Christian has epic potential.  As mentioned, both teams have good size inside (a pair of 6’9+ bigs) and also have good guard play.  Impact may have bit more overall team speed and quickness, but it won’t be anything that Victory hasn’t seen over the course of the year.  It will most likely be tough to get shots around the rim, so perimeter shooting will be at a premium.

Best Chance for an Upset: Because the semi-finals and finals are played without a shot clock (boo), CFCA will look to maximize each possession and that will take time off the clock and give Sagemont fewer opportunities than usual.  The longer CFCA can keep it close, the better their chances will be as the game comes down to the wire.

Our Picks

Weston Sagemont over Central Florida Christian Academy

Lakeland Victory Christian over Jacksonville Impact Christian

Weston Sagemont over Lakeland Victory Christian for Class 1A State Title

CLASS 2A

Another 3-1 record in our region final picks.  The outlier was Miami Country Day’s win on the road at Riviera Prep by nine points.  That was the same margin of victory for Northside Christian out of Clearwater in its regional final win.  The other two teams, Jacksonville Providence and Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic, both won handily by double-digits.  The first semi-final on March 6 will be #2 Miami Country Day taking on #3 Santa Fe Catholic.  MCD is ranked #3 in the classification while Santa Fe is fourth.  In a bit of a surprise, Santa Fe has a marginally better strength of schedule advantage over MCD.  Miami Country Day is young but talented and will certainly have a size advantage inside with 6’8 senior Kaleb Corbitt.  Conversely, Santa Fe was in this position last year and with senior 5’10 point guard Toby Lane on the floor the team always has a chance of winning.  The other semi-final features Jacksonville Providence, the top ranked team in the class, taking on #7 Northside Christian.  No team scored forty points against Providence in the regionals.  The Stallions have been playing very well as of late and have a variety of ways in which to win.  Northside has played some tough opponents this season to prepare for games such as this.  At times, the team has been inconsistent in its play.

Best Matchup: It won’t be until the finals should Providence and Miami Country Day each prevail.  Each team features a big that can step out and score or dominate the lane as well as a multitude of perimeter players that can be called upon to put the ball in the basket.  As far as semi-finals go, we think the Santa Fe Catholic/Miami Country Day game will be the more competitive.

Best Chance for an Upset: Without a shot clock, Santa Fe can slow the game down, run selectively, and reduce possessions.  Should the young guns of Miami Country Day get too impatient, Santa Fe could pull a stunner.

Our Picks

Miami Country Day over Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic

Jacksonville Providence over Clearwater Northside Christian

Jacksonville Providence over Miami Country Day for the Class 2A State Championship

CLASS 3A

We took a serious tumble to 2-2 with our picks.  Kudos to The Villages Charter and NSU University for going on the road and getting “statement” wins.  Both Calvary Christian of Fort Lauderdale and Andrew Jackson of Jacksonville cruised past their respective regional final opponents.  The first semi-final on March 9 will be Calvary, not only #1 in the classification and state regardless of class, but #2 in the nation overall in the MaxPreps Top 25, taking on a “U-School” team that has been somewhat of a surprise.  Despite not being far from each other down in Broward County, they haven’t played each other this season.  U-School has faced good competition this season but will now be facing possibly the best player in the playoffs regardless of class in 6’1 junior Cayden Daughtry.  The other semi-final will be The Villages taking on Andrew Jackson.  On paper, The Villages have a distinct advantage at each position.  Jackson says bring it on, we will play anybody.

Best Matchup: Of the semi-finals, we are very excited about the Calvary/U-School matchup.  Calvary may blow the Sharks out of the water like they have everyone else, but because the teams are not familiar with each other it could make for an interesting contest.

Best Chance for an Upset: Of the two, Jackson is more likely to pull off an upset than is U-School.  They would have to play their best game of the season to do so.

Our Picks

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian over Fort Lauderdale NSU University

The Villages Charter over Jacksonville Andrew Jackson

The Villages Charter over Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian for the Class 3A State Championship