CLASS 6A
We finished 12-4 with our first round picks. Columbia took a long ride to Tate in Pensacola and came out with a big win. Plant City won on the road at Hillsborough. In a big surprise, #17 Wiregrass Ranch won at #5 St. Petersburg. Finally, Dunbar out of Naples won on the road at Fort Myers. The Sage of Southwest Florida Hoops warned us this would happen but we didn’t listen. We’ll know better next time.
Best Matchup: Both games down south in Region 4 are very interesting. Mater Academy must once again defeat neighboring nemesis Doral to advance. Mater Academy only defeated McArthur by four at home so there is some concern. In the other contest, Martin County takes its undefeated record on the road to Dillard. In one way or another, we expect that game to be epic.
Best Chance for an Upset: Not sure why, but we can see Fletcher going into Forest and pulling off a win. Also, Doral could go into Mater Academy and dash their state-title hopes. Finally, is it an upset if undefeated Martin County wins at Dillard? Is it an upset if Dillard beats an undefeated Martin County hat home? No matter your answer, you are probably right.
Our Picks
Lincoln over Columbia
Forest over Fletcher
Bartow over Winter Haven
Kathleen over Plant City
East Lake over Wiregrass Ranch
Charlotte over Dunbar
Dillard over Martin County
Mater Academy over Doral
CLASS 7A
We managed a respectable 13-3 in the state’s largest school classification. All three upsets came in Region 3. First Wellington defeated Vero Beach. Then Dwyer went down I-95 and surprised Forest Hill. Finally, Coral Springs went up to Lake Worth and one by a single point. Everything else pretty much stayed true to form.
Best Matchup: In Orlando, #2 Dr. Phillips hosts #4 Olympia in a district rematch. DP has won both meetings this season, albeit by the thinnest of margins. In an odd twist, Dr. Phillips had to actually finish their win Tuesday night over Oviedo after 6’9 junior Ernest Udeh broke a backboard on a putback dunk early in the first half. Not far away, Oak Ridge has to go to Windermere in a battle of #1 vs. #3. Oak Ridge defeated Windermere by fourteen points way back in the beginning of December. We’ll see how much, if anything, has changed, come Tuesday night.
Best Chance for an Upset: Just not seeing one. The home teams all look to have a solid advantage and the Dwyer/Wellington game, played at Dwyer, appears to be a toss-up.
Our Picks
Seminole over Bartram Trail
Dr. Phillips over Olympia
Oak Ridge over Windemere
Riverview over Alonso
Dwyer over Wellington
Monarch over Coral Springs
Miramar over Western
Coral Gables over Columbus