Boys Basketball: Districts Done; Launching Operation Lakeland

The Boys are back in town, as the playoffs begin for boys basketball in Northeast Florida. The best teams in the area proved it by winning their district contests. While others proved their worth by their records or wins over quality opponents. We take a look at the teams rankings, their road to the first round, and who each team will play, on the road to Lakeland.

*Playoff Brackets at the bottom of story*

Class 7A

#4 Mandarin (11-15)- Mandarin secured the #4 seed after their district win over Bartram 54-45. Senior Quajon Young led all scorers with 18 points, while senior William Spriggs was second in scoring for the Mustangs with 14 points. Sophomore Langevine Cameron scored 12 points in the winning effort.

Bartram’s Season ended with a 14-12 record. Senior Fausto Alvarez led the Mustangs in scoring with 16 points against Mandarin. Alijah Kuehl (Junior) chipped in 11 points and 3 assists in the loss. Mandarin faces #5 Ocoee (20-7) in round one of the state playoffs.

Class 6A

#1. Columbia (25-2)- One of the best team in the area cemented themselves as the top seed in region 1 when Columbia defeated Lincoln 49-45 to grab the district crown. Seniors Kenny Gaines and Darrien Jones leads the team scoring 10.5ppg and 10.1ppg respectively this season. They’ll welcome Chiles (17-11) to Tiger land in the first round.

#3. Fleming Island (19-8) – The Golden Eagles of Fleming Island once again got the best of First Coast in consecutive years in the district tournament. This time they defeated the Bucs 68-62. Sebastian Astor has led Fleming all year averaging 15.3 ppg. Aaron Brown has also averaged double figures with 11.2 ppg. Senior leadership has led Coach Travis Chandler’s team. They’ll look to represent in the playoffs versus #6 Tate (21-5).

Class 5A

#1. Lee (21-4)– The Generals defeated Westside 76-64 to capture the district crown. Lee marches into the playoffs with a very talented squad of play makers. Deandre Devaughn (senior) averages 15.8 ppg while Alex Fudge (junior) averages 15.7 ppg. Head Coach Stephen Jenkins and company will host #8. Pine Forest (13-12) in the first round.

#4. St. Augustine (15-8)– Multi-sport athlete Dequan Stanley led his team with 14 points and Trevon Dirden added 11 points as St. Augustine defeated Seabreeze 45-37 in the district championship. The Yellow Jackets face #5 Mosely in the first round.

#6. Orange Park (15-10)- Orange Park fell to Westside 57-50 in the district tournament, but still secured the #6 seed in the state playoffs. Kadin Elmore averages 13.4 ppg this year. Josiah Sabino’s 12.8 ppg has guided the Raiders on offense this year. #3. Choctawhatchee (21-6) awaits them in the first round.

#7. Westside (14-11) – Diamontaye James led all scorers with 21 points, while J’cobie Henderson chipped in with 17 points in their loss to Lee. Westside and Coach Henry Robinson still made the playoffs thanks to a strong performance in district play. They’ll have an up hill battle traveling to #2. Rickards in the first round.

Class 4A

#1. Paxon (22-5)- Paxon defeated Ed White 63-51 to win the district championship. The Golden Eagles face #8. Pensacola this Thursday in the first round of the playoffs. They’ll look to have a strong showing from talented senior Isaiah Adams who averages 23 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.8 spg, and 2.9 bpg. All team leads.

#2. Bishop Kenny (22-4)- Jerry Buckley’s crew secured the #2 seed when they knocked off Palatka 46-42 in their district championship. Their reward… is to face them again in consecutive weeks. Garrett Beagle is one of the big time scorers for Kenny. But it’s a total team effort for the Crusaders that’s made them a dangerous team for opponents.

#5. Bolles(18-8)- A stunning loss to Palatka 60-58 shattered district title hopes for the Bolles Bulldogs. Yet the silver lining could be that it woke them up after a euphoric regular season win over rival Bishop Kenny. Senior Bobby Crouch averages 18.2 ppg and Ben McGraw’s 15.7 ppg average makes them formidable opponents for #4 Rutherford in round one.

#7. Palatka(19-7)- What a ride for Coach Bryant Oxendine and his Pirates as they secured the seventh seed by shocking the district with a win over favorite Bolles. Although they couldn’t get passed Kenny, they still earned enough points to qualify for the post season. Senior Malik Beauford (18.0 ppg) and Wesley Roberts ( 16.0 ppg) look to the shock state again; this time with revenge against Bishop Kenny. Can they return to Lakeland like they were just a few years earlier?

Class 3A

#1. Jackson- The consensus #1 team in Northeast Florida was granted that spot in the FHSAA playoff rankings as well. Logan West and company look to power their way back to Lakeland for a consecutive year. After defeating Providence 31-29 for the district title. #8. Maclay (17-8) stands outside the Tiger’s den as Coach James Collins looks to unleash the beasts from out east.

#5. Providence (18-9)- Coach Jim Martin returns to the playoffs with his Stallions squad looking to build off last year. Guard Isaiah Green and big J.Lee Repass look to lead their team deep into the playoffs. They’ll start with attempting to stampede past #4. P.K Yonge (15-12).

Class 2A

#1. NFEI North Florida Educational Institute (22-4)- Stacey Poole Jr looks to guide his Eagles back to Lakeland as the #1 seed in region 1. With a dominating performance against Impact 66-44, NFEI seems to be all about business heading into round one. They’ll face the #8. Beaches Chapel . Top scorer JaShawne Joseph (16.0ppg) will look to keep the pressure on all night.

#3. University Christian (12-11)– Last year, UC made it all the way to Lakeland. If they wish to return they’ll need to get big performances from leading scorers Joe Carter, who scored 13 points and Royce Morris who scored 12 points as the Christians defeated Temple Christian 69-33. #6. St. Francis Catholic (15-12) is next up.

#5. Impact Christian Academy (15-8)- Impact has had a roller coaster of a season with injuries and off the court distractions. However credit Head Coach Ben Jones for rallying the team for another playoff run. Calvin Johnson leads the team with 12.7 ppg, yet the team has many talented play makers like Jordin Jackson and others. #4 St. John Lutheran(17-6) will welcome the Lions to their house in the first round.

#8. Beaches Chapel (16-2)- Head Coach Mark Ivy has led his team back to the post season. A relatively young program, it’s testament to he, his staff, and of course the players, to navigate such a successful season. Junior Martel Collins averages 26.0 ppg. He’s sure to be the focus of the Eagle’s eye from NFEI in their first round match up.

Class 1A

W6- Hilliard (20-3)- The Red Flashes appeared on our Power Rankings late in the season and Coach Myron Saunders secured a playoff spot for his team. Jacob Crews scored 31 points as Hilliard defeated Trenton 78-50 for the district championship. They’ll welcome Jefferson County to Nassau County Thursday night for a good ole shoot out in the first round!