Saturday March 5 will decide the fates of two of the best high schools in the state as Orlando Jones will host the regional final against Jacksonville Raines. Both teams come into the game ranked number one in the 4A basketball poll. In what is building up as the game of the year, Florida Prospects gives you an in-depth look at the match-up between the two state powers.

“This is the game we have been looking forward to all year. They won the state title the last two years and we feel that we are ready to take their crown. On Saturday, we will decide who is the true number one team in the state of Florida” Coach Howard said.

Here’s how the two teams stack up against each other…

Point Guard

Orlando Jones Darius Walker vs. Jacksonville Raines London Warren

Jones's Walker maybe the fastest player on the court. Although he stands only at 5’8, he plays bigger than his size. He has a decent outside shot but sometimes depends too much on the outside jumper. He is more effective when he driving to the basket creating open shots for himself and his teammates.

London Warren

The Vikings saw just how valuable Warren was to the team when he went down with an injury. Warren is one of the top juniors in the class of 2006. Warren’s biggest asset is that he is Raines best ball handler on the court. Warren is a high energy guy. He comes out ready for every game. He’s taller than Walker and just as fast.

Both players play big roles for their teams. Walker is usually the catalyst for the Jones fast break. Warren proved his worth to the Vikings when he was out.

Edge

Push

Shooting Guard

Orlando Jones Calvin Liptrot vs. Jacksonville Raines Nick Ferguson

Calvin Liptrot will be one of the top 10 seniors in the state. On a Jones team full of star players, Liptrot maybe Jones brightest star. Liptrot has nice size standing at 6’2. He is explosive to the basket when he wants to be. He is the best three point shooter on Jones team and loves to take big shots.

Nick Ferguson is a senior whose role in the Raines offense is to hit open jump shots when the opportunity presents itself.

In most games Liptrot would be the best player on the court. He doesn’t get that award for this game, but he does get it for his position.

Edge

Jones

Small Forward

Orlando Jones Anthony Kilpatrick vs. Jacksonville Raines Derwin Kitchens

Kilpatrick has the size to guard most players in the state. He sometimes tends to be overly aggressive and gets into foul trouble. He has a decent jump shot and is not afraid to shoot the ball from the three point line.

Derwin Kitchens is one of the top players in the nation and is the number two ranked player in the state. Kitchens, who has already signed with Florida, is the most dangerous player on the court. He can beat you from the post, take you off the dribble and shoot the three. He is coming off of a 32 point performance against Cocoa in the Regional Semifinals.

Derwin Kitchens is the best player on the court. He has really started shooting the ball well with the return of London Warren. He is not afraid of taking the big shot and is clutch in a close game

Edge

Raines

Power Forward

Orlando Jones Jay Howard vs. Jacksonville Raines Donsay Hardeman

Jay Howard

Howard is more of a small forward. He has a nice jump shot and can defend the wing very well. Doesn’t display much of a post game but is not afraid to drive to the basket.

Donsay Hardeman

Hardeman is another one of those high energy players. He is in the Vikings lineup for his defensive abilities. Although he is small at 6’2, he’s very athletic and strong and really holds his own.

Both players play different roles for their teams. Although Howard is not a big scorer for Jones, they do count on him to produce points. Hardeman is on the court for his defensive abilities. In this case, Hardeman’s defensive ability overshadows Howard’s scoring ability.

Edge

Slightly to Raines

Center

Orlando Jones Jarvis Williams vs. Jacksonville Raines Juwann James

Jarvis Williams

Williams is Jones high energy man. Williams doesn’t need to have plays run for him all game and still will end up with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He is the best rebounder on the court. He thrives on offensive rebounding and often starts the Jones fast break with a block.

Juwann James

James has the best post game on the court. James is overshadowed by teammate Derwin Kitchen. James is one of the most underrated players in the state. When he brings his “A” game, he is a load to handle and is often unstoppable. He must do most of his damage down low and stay from the perimeter.

Of all the match-ups on the court, this will be the most interesting one. Both players are similar in style. Both players stand at 6’5. James has a better post game than Williams but Williams is more athletic than James.

Edge

Slightly to Raines

Intangibles

Strength of Schedules

Orlando Jones has played one of the most competitive schedules in the state. They have traveled to Palm Beach and defeated state power Palm Beach Lakes in the Derrick Harper Tournament. They also avenged a loss to Jacksonville Ribault in the MLK tournament in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Raines has played the toughest schedule in the state. They have defeated state powers Ft. Lauderdale Boyd Anderson, IMG Pendleton, Fort Myers and Miami High.

Both teams have played against the best teams in the state. It is only fitting that they play against each other for the right to be number one.

Edge

Push

Experience

Orlando Jones starts two juniors and one sophomore in their lineup. It helps that the two juniors will be two of the top in the state next year. Jones has played a tough enough schedule for them to be ready for this type of game but has not played against this type of an opponent in this type of setting.

Jacksonville Raines is the two time defending state champions. They start three seniors in their lineup highlighted by Kitchens and James. Raines has played the toughest schedule this year and will not be intimidated by traveling to an opponent’s gym.

Raines has a chance to cement their legacy with a victory and a state title this year. The Vikings have an opportunity to be the only school in Jacksonville’s history to win three consecutive state titles.

Jones is looking to end the Vikings run and start a run of its own. With two of the top juniors in the state, the Tigers will be one of the best teams in the state next year. But the Tigers are not thinking about next year. They feel that their time is now.

Edge

Raines

Common Opponents

Jones defeated Palm Beach Lakes. Jones defeated Jacksonville Ribault. Jones defeated Jacksonville Jackson

Raines defeated Jacksonville Ribault (three times). Raines defeated Jacksonville Jackson (four times). Raines lost to Palm Beach Lakes (without London Warren).

Prediction

This is one of the most anticipated games of the year. The fact that both teams are ranked number one in the 4A poll only adds to the game. Raines will be trying to cement their legacy in Florida Basketball with a three peat while Jones is trying to begin a tradition of its own. The game is played at Jones and usually that would be just enough to give the Tigers the edge but they are playing against a determine Vikings team that seemed destined to go down as one of the best.

Raines 67 Jones 61