The Road to Lakeland begins for area girls basketball teams as they take the first step towards securing a spot in the RP Funding Center. To get there teams must first finish in the top two of their district tournament and then win three playoff games.
Step one begins this week with area district tournaments at Lee, Bartram Trail, Nease, Ribault, Ridgeview, Clay, Bolles, Fort White, University Christian, First Coast Christian and Hilliard.
District 1-9A at Deland
Standings
1 Spruce Creek (4-0)
2 Sandalwood (3-1)
3 Palm Coast (2-2)
4 Deland (1-3)
5 Mandarin (0-4)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Deland 54, No. 5 Mandarin 20
Game 2: No. 2 Sandalwood 63, No. 3 Flagler Palm Coast 34
Game 3: No. 1 Spruce Creek 51, No. 4 Deland 42
Game 4: No.1 Spruce Creek (19-5) vs No. 2 Sandalwood (17-5), Friday 7 p.m.
Top Players: Spruce Creek – Peryonna Sylvester (Jr., G), Kacie Oelkers (So., G), Kaci Helmick (Jr., G), Delayna Gillard (Jr., G), Keasia Edwards (Sr., F); Sandalwood – junior wing Caitlin McGee (19.0 p.p.g., 13.2 r.p.g.), senior guard Auriyah Stewart (10.4 p.p.g, 3.8 r.p.g.), junior guard Nadya Matthews (8.9 p.p.g., 4.1 r.p.g.), junior guard Amari Wright (8.4. p.p.g., 6.2 a.p.g.); Palm Coast – junior guard Brianna Ellis (10.7 p.p.g., 5.9 r.p.g.), senior guard Dyman Howard (8.4 p.p.g., 3.3 s.p.g.), senior guard Jimaya Baker (7.7 p.p.g., 3.8 a.p.g.), junior guard Quetrina Brown (7.8 p.p.g., 3.9 r.p.g.)
Outlook: As the defending state champions, Spruce Creek has had a huge target on their backs all season, now the target gets even bigger as the playoffs start this week. The Hawks swept the district and are the overwhelming favorites to lock down the district title and home court advantage in the first round. This time last year was a stunning one for Sandalwood, as the Saints were knocked out by Palm Coast in the semifinals and then forced to forfeit several games due to an ineligible player. Fast forward a year later and the Saints are rolling again and look strong to gain one of the two playoff spots and make up for last years collapse, however standing in their way is dangerous Palm Coast, who went on to win the district and get home court advantage before losing to Spruce Creek in the second round of the playoffs.
District 3-8A at Lee
Standings
1 Lee (6-0)
2 First Coast (4-2)
3 Fletcher (2-4)
4 Atlantic Coast (0-6)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 2 First Coast 40, No. 3 Fletcher 27
Game 2: No. 1 Lee 51, No. 4 Atlantic Coast 27
Game 3: No. 1 Lee (14-12) vs No. 2 First Coast (11-14), Friday (7)
Top Players: Lee – junior wing Shanyia Winn (11.8 p.p.g.), senior guard Karmen Morrison (7.0 p.p.g.), sophomore wing Jerzy Johnson (8.0 p.p.g); First Coast – senior guard Moriah Steele (15.2 p.p.g.3.4 r.p.g.), senior guard Heather Ellis (10.0 p.p.g., 6.0 r.p.g.); Fletcher – sophomore guard Elena Espenship (10.9 p.p.g.), senior forward Mia Singleton (10.2 p.p.g., 6.4 r.p.g.), sophomore Chela Panganiban (9.2 p.p.g.), sophomore Kindree Sullivan (7.7 p.p.g.); Atlantic Coast – sophomore Shurell Jefferson (14.4 p.p.g.)
Outlook: One thing we have learned from this district is to expect the unexpected each year. Lee comes into the tourney having swept every district rival twice and enters as big favorites to win the district title and the automatic playoff berth but if the past has taught us anything expect an upset of two possibly in the tourney.
District 4-8A at Bartram Trail
Standings
1 Bartram Trail (7-1)
2 Fleming Island (6-2)
3 Creekside (5-3)
4 Oakleaf (2-6)
5 Buchholz (0-8)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 5 Buchholz 36, No. 4 Oakleaf 34
Game 2: No. 3 Creekside 49, No. 2 Fleming Island 38
Game 3: No. 1 Bartram Trail 67, No. 5 Buchholz 30
Game 4: No. 1 Bartram Trail (20-6) vs No. 3 Creekside (19-7), Friday, 7
Top Players: Bartram Trail – sophomore Bella Weary (20.3 p.p.g.), sophomore Dana Art (10.5 p.p.g.), junior Sierra Calleson (6.7 p.p.g.), sophomore Moira McCarthy (5.8 p.p.g.); Fleming Island – senior guard Aubrey Burke (15.7 p.p.g.), sophomore guard Emma Richard (13.6 p.p.g.), senior forward Madison Mas (7.0 p.p.g.); Creekside – senior Anna Rose Epting (12.6 p.p.g.), junior Maddie Lippy (9.1 p.p.g.), sophomore Taylor Gardner (9.2 p.p.g.), freshman Emily McIntosh (8.1 p.p.g.)
Outlook: Home court advantage plus the top seed gives Bartram Trail a huge advantage to bring home their second straight district title. Don’t forget about either Fleming Island and/or Creekside, Fleming Island knocked off Bartram Trail; while Creekside isn’t a pushover and will be handful for both.
District 3-7A at Nease
Standings
1 Nease (8-0)
2 Middleburg (6-2)
3 St. Augustine (5-3)
4 Ed White (2-6)
5 Englewood (0-8)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Ed White over vs No. 5 Englewood
Game 2: No. 2 Middleburg 64, vs No. 3 St. Augustine 37
Game 3: No. 1 Nease 83, vs No. 4 Ed White 17
Game 4: No. 1 Nease (24-1) vs No. 2 Middleburg (20-5), Thursday, 7
Top Players: Nease – senior center Camille Hobby (18.6 p.p.g., 10.6 r.p.g.), senior wing Tia Robinson (10.2 p.p.g., 5.3 r.p.g.), senior guard Kiya Turner (11.6 p.p.g., 4.8 a.p.g.), senior forward Peyton Carter (8.4 p.p.g., 5.5 r.p.g.); Middleburg – junior forward Britany Range (18.6 p.p.g., 6.3 r.p.g.), senior forward Mallory Roney (17.3 p.p.g., 6.8 r.p.g.), sophomore Skylar Baltezegar (10.4 p.p.g., 10.3 r.p.g.), senior guard Jamyah Harkins (7.7 p.p.g.), junior guard Mar’ria Davis (7.9 p.p.g.)
Outlook: With the exception of a last second buzzer beater loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, Nease has been flawless this season especially in the district. The Panthers have a deep bench led by NC State commit Hobby as well as Robinson, Turner and Carter. If their is any team that could knock them off its Middleburg, whose 3 of their 5 losses are to Nease and likely headed for its fourth meeting of the year. A sleeper team to keep an eye on its St. Augustine, who despite losing both meetings with Middleburg, still poses a threat in the semifinals.
District 4-7A at Vanguard
Standings
1 Vanguard (8-0)
2 Columbia (6-2)
3 Gainesville (4-4)
4 Forest (2-6)
5 Lake Weir (0-8)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Forest 39, No. 5 Lake Weir 21
Game 2: No. 2 Columbia 37, No. 3 Gainesville 32
Game 3: No. 1 Vanguard 63, No. 4 Forest 22
Game 4: No. 1 Vanguard (17-8) vs No. 2 Columbia (20-6), Friday, 7
Top Players: junior forward Quianna Dilliard (14.6 p.p.g., 8.0 r.p.g.), freshman guard Na’Haviya Paxton (9.8 p.p.g., 5.3 r.p.g.), freshman guard Anzarria Jerkins (6.6 p.p.g.)
Outlook: Columbia might be young but they sure don’t play like it earning the two seed after a strong regular season. The Tigers are in good position to earn one of the two automatic playoff bids providing they can handle their business against Gainesville in the semifinals.
District 3-6A at Ribault
Standings
1 Ribault (5-0)
2 Bishop Kenny (4-1)
3 Parker (3-2)
4 Paxon (2-3)
5 Stanton (1-4)
6 Yulee (0-5)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Paxon 63, No. 5 Stanton 13
Game 2: No. 3 Parker 59, No. 6 Yulee 19
Game 3: No. 2 Bishop Kenny 61, No. 3 Parker 60
Game 4: No. 1 Ribault XX, No. 4 Paxon XX
Game 5: No. 1 Ribault (16-6) vs No. 2 Bishop Kenny (24-2), Friday, 7
Top Players: Ribault – senior Peris Starks (10.8 p.p.g., 10.3 r.p.g.), junior Jada Aktins (11.2 p.p.g.), sophomore Asia Fleming (7.1 p.p.g.), junior guard Avian Bryant (6.9 p.p.g.); Bishop Kenny – sophomore forward Jasmyne Roberts (17.5 p.p.g., 9.2 r.p.g.), freshman guard Maddie Millar (15.2 p.p.g.), junior guard Rose Dolmovich (9.0 p.p.g.); Parker – freshman Kiana Wilson (10.4 p.p.g.), junior Brianna Raynor (15.0 p.p.g.), senior Jaida Reddin (11.0 p.p.g.), senior Denaesia Pollard (11.6 p.p.g.)
Outlook: As the host Ribault may be the odds on favorite to win the title after knocking off Bishop Kenny earlier in the season but its hard to go against the Crusaders. After a rebuilding year, the Trojans are back and primed for a lengthy playoff run thanks to a solid mix of young and veteran players including Starks, Aktins and Fleming. If their is one team that can dethrone the Trojans, its the Crusaders who come into the tourney full of confidence along with a deep roster led by Roberts, Millar and Dolmovich. Just a sophomore Roberts is a game changer on the court and can easily take over a game, while Millar isn’t to shabby either. Want a wild card, Parker might be young but there is still plenty of talent to possibly pull an upset or two.
District 4-6A at Ridgeview
Standings
1 Orange Park (8-0)
2 Ridgeview (6-2)
3 Westside (4-4)
4 Wolfson (2-6)
5 Baker County (0-8)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 5 Baker County over No. 4 Wolfson
Game 2: No. 2 Ridgeview 57, No. 3 Westside 47
Game 3: No. 1 Orange Park 57, No. 5 Baker County 30
Game 4: No. 1 Orange Park (21-5) vs No. 2 Ridgeview (14-6), Thursday, 7
Top Players: Orange Park – junior forward Sha’mia Capers (13.3 p.p.g.), junior guard Macie Faucett (12.1 p.p.g.), freshman forward Nia Brown (9.3 p.p.g.), junior guard Yoly Rosado (7.8 p.p.g.); Ridgeview – Trenity Gilford (Jr.), Heavun McCarthur (Sr., Alyssa Sherman (Fr.), Brittany Sutton (Sr.), Hannah Foster (Sr.)
Outlook: Orange Park is clearly the favorite here having run through the district with ease unscathed blowing out every opponent on their way to another 20 win season thanks to a well balanced scoring attack. Ridgeview is the team that could potentially could pose the biggest threat as the host Panthers have had a solid year themselves despite battling numerous injuries throughout the year.
District 5-6A at Clay
Standings
1 Ponte Vedra (8-0)
2 Menendez (6-2)
3 Palatka (4-4)
4 Clay (2-6)
5 Matanzas (0-8)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Clay 58, No. 5 Matanzas 2
Game 2: No. 2 Menendez 52, No. 3 Palatka 31
Game 3: No. 1 Ponte Vedra 57, No. 4 Clay 17
Game 4: No. 1 Ponte Vedra (15-8) vs No. 2 Menendez (14-10), Thursday, 7
Top Players: Ponte Vedra – Riley Mayer (Sr., G/F), Sophia Fraga (Jr., G), Leah McCarthy (Sr., F/C); Menendez – senior Aniyah Foster (10.4 p.p.g.), junior guard Anteria Evans (8.6 p.p.g.), senior Katie White (7.4 p.p.g.)
Outlook: Things started off rocky for Ponte Vedra, as top scorer junior Channing Chappell transferred to DME Academy over the summer after guiding the Sharks to the state title game; without her the Sharks took their lumps early on and had to redefine themselves a bit but since league play started they have been on fire. Menendez comes into the tourney full of confidence after ending the season with two straight wins including a win over St. Augustine, who beat them in the St. Johns River Athletic Conference tournament a week earlier. Matanzas (0-17) has dropped out of the district tourney as the Pirates have had a rough season battling numerous injuries and appear to not have enough players to play.
District 3-5A at Bolles
Standings
1 Raines (6-0)
2 Fernandina Beach (5-1)
3 Bolles (4-2)
4 Episcopal (3-3)
5 Jackson (2-4)
6 Baldwin (1-5)
7 West Nassau (0-6)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Episcopal 47, No. 5 Jackson 25
Game 2: No. 3 Bolles 63, No. 6 Baldwin 8
Game 3: No. 2 Fernandina Beach 58, No. 7 West Nassau 31
Game 4: No. 1 Raines 52, No. 4 Episcopal 9
Game 5: No. 3 Bolles 55, No. 2 Fernandina Beach 53 (OT)
Game 6: No. 1 Raines (23-4) vs No. 3 Bolles (16-8), Friday, 7
Top Players: Raines – junior center Teyana Carswell (13.5 p.p.g., 9.0 p.p.g.), junior guard Nyla Allen (10.0 p.p.g.), sophomore guard Ahliah Brown (12.6 p.p.g.), sophomore guard Selah Reddick (6.4 p.p.g.), senior guard Jasmine Davis (5.2 p.p.g.); Fernandina Beach – junior guard Talia Hamilton (14.1 p.p.g.), junior guard Cartaleyiah Basnight (13.6 p.p.g.), junior center Zada Freeman (10.0 p.p.g.); Bolles – junior Shekinah Sanders (16.3 p.p.g.), sophomore Ashley Thompkins (13.7 p.p.g.), junior Piper Carriere (11.2 p.p.g.)
k: One thing we can definitely say about this district is unlike nearly every other district which is 1-2 team race, this one is clearly up for grabs as many as four teams could claim the title. Raines is the overwhelming favorite here on paper having swept each opponent but expect the unexpected in this tourney as Fernandina Beach, Bolles and Episcopal are able to bring home the trophy. After a run to its first ever Final Four last season, don’t count out Fernandina Beach
District 4-5A at Fort White
Standings
1 Bradford (6-2)
2 Keystone Heights (6-2)
3 Fort White (4-4)
4 Interlachen (3-5)
5 Newberry (2-6)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Interlachen 42, No. 5 Newberry 24
Game 2: No. 2 Keystone Heights 62, No. 3 Fort White 25
Game 3: No. 1 Bradford 52, No. 4 Interlachen 44
Game 4: No. 1 Bradford (9-11) vs No. 2 Keystone Heights (17-7), Friday, 7
Top Players Bradford – junior guard Olyvia Griffin (11.7 p.p.g.); Keystone Heights – senior guard Haley Julius (16.4 p.p.g.), senior guard Savannah Channell (11.4 p.p.g.); Fort White – senior guard Aubrey Callum (19.9 p.p.g.)
Outlook Bradford and Keystone Heights tied for the top seed and appear to be the two teams most likely to bring home the district title. Host Fort White could play spoiler though with the home court advantage.
District 2-4A at University Christian
Standings
1 University Christian (4-0)
2 Providence (3-1)
3 St. Joseeph (1-3)
4 Florida Deaf (1-3)
5 Bishop Snyder (1-3)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 4 Florida Deaf over No. 5 Bishop Snyder
Game 2: No. 2 Providence over No. 3 St. Joseph
Game 3: No. 1 U.C. over No. 4 Florida Deaf
Game 4: No. 1 U.C. (15-4) vs No. 2 Providence (13-10), Friday, 7
Outlook U.C. is the clear favorite and with home court advantage should bring home the district title and home court advantage in the playoffs. Providence appears to be the biggest threat to take down UC as the Stallions have enough weapons and have played a tough schedule to get them prepared for the playoffs.
District 2-3A at Deltona Trinity
Standings
1 St Johns Country Day (3-0)
2 Deltona Trinity (2-1)
3 St. Francis (1-2)
4 Lake Mary Prep (0-3)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 1 St. Johns Country Day 64, No. 4 Lake Mary Prep 16
Game 2: No. 2 Deltona Trinity 63, No. 3 St. Francis 36
Game 3: No. 1 St. Johns Country Day (16-7) vs No. 2 Deltona Trinity, Friday, 7
Top Players St. Johns – Kendall Sage (Jr., G)
Outlook St. Johns has had another special season and it could get continue if their able to take home the district title and secure home court advantage in the playoffs. Host Deltona Trinity could be the team to knock them out though as they only lost by 7 in their only regular season meeting.
District 2-2A at First Coast Christian
Standings
1 Impact Christian (4-0)
2 First Coast Christian (2-2)
3 Eagles View (0-4)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 2 First Coast Christian 45, No. 3 Eagles View 11
Game 2: No.1 Impact Christian (14-3) vs No. 2 First Coast Christian, Friday, 7
Top Players Impact Christian – senior Triniti Snead (21.8 p.p.g., 11.1 r.p.g.)
Outlook Being in a three team district, Impact Christian has already qualified for the playoffs by being the top seed and earning an automatic berth into the title game. The Eagles are heavy favorites to win the title and earn home court advantage in the playoffs.
District 6-1A at Hilliard
Standings
1 Hawthorne (6-0)
2 Williston (4-2)
3 Hilliard (2-4)
4 Union County (0-6)
Schedule
Game 1: No. 2 Williston 35, No. 3 Hilliard 14
Game 2: No. 1 Hawthorne over No. 4 Union County
Game 3: No. 1 Hawthorne (19-4) vs No. 2 Williston (16-7), Friday, 7
Top Players Hawthorne – junior Atania Mason (13.8 p.p.g.), eighth Kentavia Hagins (10.3 p.p.g.), sophomore Jayla Williams (12.4 p.p.g.)
Outlook Hawthorne is not favored to win the district but also make some serious noise in the playoffs. Williston is the biggest threat for the Hornets although host Hilliard could be a sleeper as well.
