2013-14 FHSAA GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
When: Tuesday through Saturday
Where: The Lakeland Center
TV: Championship games will be live on BHSN Channel 47 or HD 1147. Semifinals and championship games will be live streamed on bhsn.com.
Matchups:
Class 1A Semifinals, Wednesday
Chipley 45, Hawthorne 42
Paxton 53, Chiefland 41
1A Championship Game - Paxton 45 Chipley 42 F
Class 2A Semifinals, Tuesday
Sarasota Christian 68 Academy at the Lakes 59
Grandview Prep 41 FAMU 39
2A Championship Game - Sarasota Christian 32, Grandview Prep 45
Class 3A Semifinals, Tuesday
Seffner Christian 56 Calvary Christian 48
Miami Country Day 69, Maclay 20
3A Championship Game - Seffner Christian, 51 Miami Country Day 65
Class 4A Semifinals, Tuesday
Dunbar 70, Jones 51
Gulliver Prep 43, Ribault 72
4A Championship Game - Dunbar 53, Ribault 72
Class 5A Semifinals, Friday
Southeast 49 Land O'Lakes 24
Choctawhatchee 44 Rockledge 34
5A Championship Game, Saturday - Southeast 52, Choctawhatchee 35
Class 6A Semifinals, Friday
Edgewater 64 Barron Collier 35
Pine Forest 39, Miami Norland 34
6A Championship Game, Saturday, Edgewater 53, Pine Forest 34
Class 7A Semifinals, Thursday
Wekiva 71, Palm Beach Lakes 76 (OT)
7A Championship Game, Saturday, Wekiva 59, Harmony 48
Class 8A Semifinals, Friday
Treasure Coast 46, Park Vista 30
Seminole 37, Miami 55
8A Championship Game -Treasure Coast 33, Miami 49
Local teams: Academy at the Lakes (20-5) – The Wildcats are making their third-consecutive trip to the Final Four. And they’ve made it with one of the youngest rosters Coach Karim Nohra has ever fielded. Academy’s starting five consists of two eighth graders – Audra Leipold and Taylor Polasky, two sophomores – Janise Cassanello and Lulu Santiago and freshman Imani Thomas. In their last 10 victories, the Wildcats averaged 68 ppg and outscored opponents by an average of 45 points.
Calvary Christian (23-3) – The Warriors are back in the Final Four for the second-straight year. They got bumped out in the semifinals by eventual champion Father Lopez. This season, Calvary is led by three players averaging double digits, sisters Savannah Plentovich (16.9 ppg) and Carley Plentovich(13.6 ) and Kasey Howard (10.2). Freshman Breanna Hickey leads the team in rebounds. Since losing to Seffner Christian (67-62) on Jan. 23, the Warriors have won four straight.
Edgewater (23-6) – The Fightin’ Eagles have won 11-consecutive enroute to trying to three-peat as state champs. Seniors Nyala Shuler and Haley Clark lead the team with 14.8 ppg and 11.8 ppg, respectively. Shuler also leads the team in rebounds (288). Three of Edgewater’s losses were to teams that are also in the Final Four – Dunbar, Jones and Miami. The other three were out of state opponents.
Harmony (26-3) – The Longhorns came from behind in the final minutes of their regional final game against Steinbrenner, punching their ticket to Lakeland with a 44-40 victory. The team is led by a pair of seniors, Julia Ingler (11.4 ppg) and Rebekah Fitzpatrick (11.1). Another senior, Ragen Dotson leads the team in rebounds (163). This is Harmony’s first trip to the Final Four. Haines City knocked them out of the regional finals the past two seasons.
Jones (24-4) – The two-time state champions are back in the Final Four after getting shutout of the playoffs last season. The Fightin’ Tigers are led by three players averaging double figures – Dominique Simpson (16 ppg), Kornelia Wright (15.5) and Idaysha Sealey (10.5). Since losing to Lake Highland Prep in the district title game, Jones has won three straight - including a revenge, one-point win vs. Lake Highland Prep.
Land O’ Lakes (23-4) – The Gators are crashing the Final Four party for the first time in school history. Junior Jhade Hayes leads the team in scoring with 14.4 ppg and in rebounds (188). Sophomore Makala Canada also averages double digits (10.2) Since losing to Gulf in the district championship, the Gators have won three-consecutive playoff games by an average deferential of five points or less in each game. A 40-37 win vs. Citrus in the regional final catapulted them to Lakeland.
Rockledge (19-8) – The Raiders knocked off the four-time defending state champions Dillard with a 56-43 regional final victory. This is Rockledge’s fourth appearance in the Final Four as they seek their first girls state title. They are led by senior Loshaveon Jones (15.5 ppg) and junior Tajanee Chapple (13.6). Jones also leads the team in rebounds (126). Their semifinal opponent, Choctawhatchee lost in overtime of the 6A championship game last year.
Seffner Christian (25-5) – This is the Crusaders third time in the Final Four and second-consecutive appearance. Each time, Seffner Christian has bowed out in the semifinals. They beat Calvary earlier this season, 67-62, led by Sabrina Whiting and Peyton Walker, who each scored 17 points. Walker leads the team with 19.8 ppg, while Whiting contributes 16.3. In order to go further at the state tournament, Coach Greg Fawbush bulked up his team’s schedule this season, pitting them against some of Florida’s and the nation’s best teams.
Seminole(27-4) - The Seminoles are back in the Final Four for the first time since 1989. That year, they lost to Lakewood in the 3A championship game, 78-75 in overtime. Seminole rebounded from a 69-55 loss to Lake Mary on Jan. 9 by winning 11 straight, including a win vs. Apopka in the regional final.
Southeast (29-1) – Coach John Harder has led the Seminoles to a state title three times. This is his team’s first trip back to the Final Four since 2004. Southeast needed overtime against Cape Coral in the regional final to make it to Lakeland, but they are back, thanks in part to a strong, senior laden starting lineup (Bevin Mays, Janelle Gould, DeAngela Mathis and Keshawna Robinson) and one sophomore Breyonna Reed. The Lady Noles’ strength is their defense.
Wekiva (24-6) – Since losing to four-time defending state champs Dillard in the MLK Showcase, the Mustangs have won seven straight, including a 74-62 regional final victory over Crestview.