The Road to Lakeland “Final Four” continues with three of eight classifications set to square off today starting with both 1A semifinal games. The first semifinal game begins at 10am followed by the second 1A semifinal game at 11:30am. Then the third game of the afternoon begins with a pair of 2A semifinal match-ups starting at 2:30pm and followed by a 4:00pm tip-off time, which will be the fourth contest of the day. The night cap features two 4A semifinal match-ups, which kicks offs at 7:00pm and 8:30pm respectively.

Class 1A:

Game #1:  Hilliard H.S. Red Flashes (23-4) vs. Chipley Tigers (22-4)…………………………..…..10:00am

Chipley’s Lady Tigers defeated the Holmes County Lady Blue Devils Saturday night, 63-49, in the regional finals.

The Lady Tigers Impact Players are: Amanda Pascal - 5’8” Sophomore Guard (15 ppg, 11 rpg, 6 apg, and 4 spg) and Jasmine Belser – 5’7” Senior Guard (13 ppg and 3 spg)

                                                            F.P. Prediction: HILLIARD

Game #2:  The Villages Charter Buffaloes (18-5) vs. South Walton Seahawks (23-6)………11:30am

Three years ago, the Cottondale Hornets beat the Seahawks and knocked them out of a chance of advancing in the state playoffs. This year, the Seahawks returned the favor defeating Cottondale in the Regional Semifinals 65-35. Then the Seahawks carried their momentum into the Regional Finals defeating Ponce De Leon by 54-44. This will be the first trip to the State Final in school history.

The Seahawks Impact Players are: Tayler Menard, Morgan Kennedy, Eve Heffron and Kati Trejo (all four players are Seniors)

The Lady Buffaloes Impact Players are: Asia Marion - 5’7” Senior Forward (20 ppg, 6 rpg  and 4 spg) 
                                                    F.P. Prediction: THE VILLAGES CHARTER

Class 2A:

Game #3:  Grandview Prep. Pride (23-2) vs. FAMU Rattlers (22-4)………………………………. 2:30pm

The Pride returns to Lakeland after losing last year in the semifinal game to face the defending 2 A champions, FAMU High this afternoon at 2:30pm. The Pride Impact Players are: Neydja Petithomme – 5’8” Junior Guard (23 ppg and 8 apg) and Vionise Pierre-Louis – 6’4” Junior Senior (22 ppg, 14 rpg and 6 bpg)

The Rattlers Impact Players are: LaKaris Salter – Junior Forward (16 ppg and 11 rpg) and Jazmine Jones – Freshman Guard (14 ppg and 8 rpg)

                                                 F.P. Prediction: FAMU High

Game #4:  Sheridan Hills Christian Sharks (17-12) vs. Academy at the Lakes (23-4)……..…4:00pm

The Sharks are making their first appearance at the state tournament and this is just their fifth postseason appearance in program history.

The Sharks Impact Players are: Natasha Patullo (16 ppg, 8 rpg) and Caitlin McCluskey (18 ppg and 4 rpg). Both players are shooting more than 70 percent from 3-point range.

                                                F.P. Prediction: ACADEMY at the LAKES

Class 4A:

Game #5:  Dunbar Tigers (28-2) vs. Ribault Trojans (29-0)………………….....……….…………..…..7:00pm

The Tigers, the reigning Class 4A state champion, made sure it will have a chance to repeat with a 62-26 home victory over Lake Placid in the Region 4A-2 final Saturday night. The Tigers will face Jacksonville Ribault, the team they beat for the state title last year, in the state semifinal Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Lakeland Center. The Trojans look to remain perfect in the lost column with zero. This will be considered the “Game of the Day” on the first day’s schedule.

The Tigers Impact Players are: Kiara Desamours – 5’8” Sophomore Forward (18 ppg, 8 rpg and 4 spg) and Keri Jewett – 5’4” Sophomore Guard (17 ppg, 6 rpg and 5 spg).

The Trojans Impact Players are: JaTavia Tapley – 6’0” Freshman Forward (14 ppg and 6 rpg) and Sherranda Riddick– 5’6” Senior Guard (12 ppg, 6 rpg and 4 spg). 

                                                F.P. Prediction: RIBAULT

Game #6:  Coral Springs Charter Panthers (23-7) vs. Port Orange Atlantic Sharks (21-6)….8:30pm

The Panthers, who making their second straight Final Four appearance after losing to eventual state champ Fort Myers Dunbar 53-51 in the semifinals last season, have overcome incredible odds this postseason. They were forced to make their state semifinal run without ESPN four-star recruit Aisha Edwards (21 ppg), who suddenly left the school just before the playoffs. This will be an uphill task for the Panthers facing University of Florida signee, Ronni Williams, short-handed and without their leading scorer.

The Sharks Impact Players are: Ronni Williams – 6’2” Senior Forward (20 ppg, 10 rpg and 4 bpg) and Destiny Woodard – 5’8” Senior Guard (17 ppg, 5 apg and 4 spg)

The Panthers Impact Players are: Emily Williams – 5’5” Junior Guard (12 ppg and  4 rpg) 

                                                F.P. Prediction: PORT ORANGE ATLANTIC

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

           GAME OF THE DAY:    Fort Myers Dunbar vs. Jacksonville Ribault

This game should live up to the hype and come down to the wire. This is truly the most intriguing game of the day. Could Ribault continue its winning streak to 30 or will Dunbar give them their first defeat of the season?

           SURE PICKINGS:      Port Orange Atlantic over Coral Springs Charter

 Ronni Williams is focused and hungry this year for a title. Williams considered pound for pound the best player in the state, will be the Panthers nightmare, with her 6’2” size frame.
                                             Academy of the Lakes over Sheridan Hills Christian

How will Sheridan Hills Christian respond on the first visit to Lakeland to challenge an opponent such as Academy of the Lakes?  The Academy of the Lakes have too many weapons, at the perimeter position, to not make it to the Finals.

          UPSET ALERT:          Dunbar over Ribault

                                           Grandview Prep. Over FAMU