CLASS 2A

District Upsets: There were a few, but not a great deal.  St. Francis of Gainesville’s loss in the semis to eventual District 2 runner-up Trinity Catholic bounced them from an at-large regional berth.  In District 6, Melbourne Central Catholic’s run to the district title assured them of a regional spot they otherwise would not have gotten as an at-large bid.  In District 7, the two seed Benjamin took down top seed Jupiter Christian.  Benjamin would have made it in as an at-large bid had it not won.  Chaos reigned in District 9 as top seed Bell Creek Academy and second seed Seffner Christian both lost in the semi-finals.  Bell Creek’s loss to Tampa SLAM did enough damage to its ranking to keep them out of the playoffs.  Down in South Florida, Chaminade-Madonna defeated top seed Westminster Academy in District 13 while second seed Divine Savior prevailed over Miami Country Day in District 14.  Those “upsets” mattered little as both top seeds were ranked high enough to receive an at-large bid.

Toughest Region: Region 4 in South Florida is one of the tougher regions regardless of class.  Five of the eight teams are ranked between 2 and 9 in 2A.  While Riviera Prep (#2) has a record of “just” 17-9, the Bulldogs’ strength of schedule is the second highest in the state.  The three-time defending state champ will be a tough out.

Best Opening Matchup: Thinking a bit outside the lines, we find the Tampa Prep/St. Stephen’s matchup to be interesting.  Both teams are well-coached, have promising talent for the next level, and each team is looking to make a statement in this round.  Tampa Prep is a bit more experienced but is on the road.

Best Chance for an Upset: Westminster Academy can pull off the upset at True North Classical IF D.J. Gaines has returned from an arm injury that has had him sideline much of the second half of the season.  Most games in the region look to go as expected.

Our Picks:

Providence over Bishop Snyder

San Jose Prep over Rocky Bayou Christian

The First Academy over Trinity Catholic

P.K. Yonge over University Christian

Santa Fe Catholic over Katz Yeshiva

Jupiter Christian over Lakeland Christian

Melbourne Central Catholic over Holy Trinity Episcopal

Bejamin over Foundation Academy

Northside Christian over Seffner Christian

Carrollwood Day over St. John Neumann

First Baptist Academy over Clearwater Central Catholic

St. Stephen’s over Tampa Prep

Riviera Prep over Archbishop Carroll

Divine Savior over Florida Christian

Miami Country Day over Chaminade-Madonna

True North Classical over Westminster Academy

CLASS 3A

District Upsets: In District 2, third seed Marianna won the title.  The low rankings for each team in this district made it such that only the district winner would get into the regional round.  In District 9, second seed Titusville Astronaut won the title, the only team from that district to advance.  Bishop Verot, the third seed in District 10, won the title.  This effectively bounced Gateway Charter of Fort Myers out of the regional round.  They would have made it as an at-large bid if things had gone status quo.  In District 13, top seed Cardinal Gibbons fell to two seed NSU University (U-School).  Both were in line to make the regional round regardless of outcome.

Toughest Region: While Region 3 is top heavy with Calvary Christian (#1), North Broward Prep (#2) and Saint Andrew’s (#5), Region 2 has a greater depth of teams and therefore more challenging to advance.  The Villages (#9) has played a brutal schedule this season to prepare for a title run.  Lake Highland Prep (#3) and Windermere Prep (#4) have vastly exceeded everyone’s expectations but their own.  Both Tampa Catholic (#11) and Clearwater Calvary Christian (#12), can beat anyone  in a one-game, winner-take-all scenario.

Best Opening Matchup: While it is a district rematch, Tampa Catholic and Calvary Christian should be entertaining.  TC has beaten CC twice this season, but conventional wisdom states it is difficult to beat the same opponent three times in succession.  TC is on an eight-game run right now and they have beaten some quality teams in that time.  Calvary fell by just seven points in the district title game and no doubt is looking to make up for that lost opportunity.

Best Chance for an Upset: We just don’t see one.  There are a couple of five seeds on the road that could win at the four seed (Bradford, Cardinal Newman, Pine Crest), but would those really be upsets? Probably not.

Our Picks:

Andrew Jackson over Marianna

Walton over Bradford

Newberry over South Walton

Jax Episcopal School over Pensacola Catholic

Lake Highland Prep over Titusville Astronaut

Tampa Catholic over Clearwater Calvary Christian

The Villages Charter over Discovery

Windermere Prep over Cardinal Mooney

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian over Bishop Verot

Cardinal Newman over Tradition Prep

North Broward Prep over Oasis

Saint Andrew’s over Inlet Grove

Cardinal Gibbons over Gulliver Prep

Pine Crest over Somerset Academy Silver Palms

NSU University over Monsignor Pace

Miami SLAM over Ransom Everglades