Predicting the 4A FHSAA State Playoffs
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Predicting the 4A FHSAA State Playoffs By Michael Wholey 2/18/21 4:00 PM EST And then there were 8. The FHSAA 4A Playoffs have reached the Regional Semi-Finals with this Fridays winners advancing to the final 4 in Lakeland. Here is…
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Continue ReadingPredicting the 4A FHSAA State Playoffs
By Michael Wholey 2/18/21 4:00 PM EST
And then there were 8. The FHSAA 4A Playoffs have reached the Regional Semi-Finals with this Fridays winners advancing to the final 4 in Lakeland. Here is who we are predicting for 4A!
4A
Who are we predicting?
Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, FL) 16-0
Lake Highland Prep is undefeated and the # 1 ranked team both in Florida and nationally. They have played a strong schedule and have an extremely talented roster with the top front court in the state. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lake Highland Prep will take home the 4A State Championship. Their regional semifinal game was a little close for comfort defeating Eustis 67-57 but, in the end, the Highlanders need to win 3 more to win the whole thing and we are predicting they will get it done. Alabama signee Kayla Blackshear Kayla Blackshear 6'1" | PF Lake Highland Prep | 2021 State #61 Nation FL and recent Louisville verbal commitment Nyla Harris Nyla Harris 6'2" | PF Lake Highland Prep | 2022 State #34 Nation FL are strong, dominant, imposing forces on the interior. The duo is a near impossible match up for anyone in 4A and I think they will just be too much to handle for their opponents. On the perimeter UCF verbal commitment Stefanie Ingram Stefanie Ingram 5'7" | CG Lake Highland | 2022 State FL is their emotional leader and sets the tone, while Bri Rivera and Eleecia Carter Eleecia Carter 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2023 State FL provide the outside shooting to space the floor. Freshman Lexi Blue Lexi Blue 6'1" | SF Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL gives Lake Highland Prep a solid six player rotation. Look for Lake Highland Prep to repeat as FHSAA 4A State Champions!
Who is in their way?
Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, FL) 19-9
Ultimately, the semi-final game could potentially be the equivalent of the State Championship game as Lake Highland Prep and Bishop Kenny are the two strongest teams in 4A. The Crusaders have played a tough schedule taking some bumps along the way, making them as battle tested and as ready as any team still alive in the playoffs. They are led by Seniors Jasmyne Roberts Jasmyne Roberts 5'10" | CG Bishop Kenny | 2021 State FL , Jamia Nesmith Jamia Nesmith 5'10" | PF Bishop Kenny | 2021 State FL , and Junior Maddie Millar Maddie Millar 5'9" | CG Bishop Kenny | 2022 State FL . University of Miami signee is having a big-time season, proving why she is headed to play in the ACC next season. She fills up the state sheet and is averaging 22.1 PPG to go along with 9.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 3.7 SPG. 6’0 Forward Jamia Nesmith Jamia Nesmith 5'10" | PF Bishop Kenny | 2021 State FL has several double doubles on the season and is the Crusaders anchor in the paint averaging 9.5 points and 6.1 rebounds. Junior Maddie Millar Maddie Millar 5'9" | CG Bishop Kenny | 2022 State FL could be one of the state’s most under rated players averaging 12.4 PPG. The sharpshooter is averaging 4+ made 3-pointers per game shooting 38% from 3. If anyone is capable of taking down Lake Highland Prep, Bishop Kenny has the best chance and will need a HUGE game from Jasmyne Roberts Jasmyne Roberts 5'10" | CG Bishop Kenny | 2021 State FL !
Who are the sleepers?
American Heritage (Delray, FL) 12-4
American Heritage (Delray) is one of the state’s up and coming teams led by a young nucleus. Alancia Ramsey Alancia Ramsey 6'0" | PF St Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL is one of the state’s top forwards and has been getting it done all season averaging 20.3 PPG and 12.8 RPG. Freshman Khadee Hession Khadee Hession 5'10" | CG St Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL has been a big addition to the Stallions averaging 12.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 3.2 SPG while Sophomore Taylor Romano Taylor Romano 5'6" | CG American Heritage (Delray) | 2023 State FL has been solid averaging 9.4 points per game including six games in double figures. The X-Factor in this situation is 2022 Wisconsin verbal commit Jordana Codio Jordana Codio 6'1" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL . The 6’0 wing is the team’s best player but has missed several games due to injury. We do not expect her to play but should be healthy, she is capable to being a game changer!
Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg, FL) 20-4
Lakewood has been the team to beat in Pinellas county over the last few years. They struggled to get by Clearwater during the regular season with two of their 4 losses coming at the hands of the Tornadoes and the other two coming to Montverde Academy and Wekiva. But now with Clearwater in the rear view, Lakewood has a path to get to Lakeland and potentially take home the whole thing! If they can get hot, look for Juniors Makayla Johnson and Reilly Webb Reilly Webb 5'9" | CG Lakewood | 2022 State FL to play a factor to go along with Senior Ta’Nauviyon Williams.
Lincoln Park Academy (Fort Pierce, FL) 18-1
Lincoln Park Academy is well coached team who if can make it to Lakeland, could play a factor. University of South Alabama Deborah Reese Deborah Reese 6'0" | PF Lincoln Park | 2021 State FL is their headliner and is averaging 14.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. While Senior Christen McCann Christen McCann 5'10" | CG Lincoln Park Academy | 2021 State FL , Senior Trisann Gordon, and Junior Sophia Marrero Sophia Marrero 5'6" | SG Lincoln Park Academy | 2022 State FL have all been consistent all season. If Lincoln Park Academy, look for Reese to have a streak of big games! She has had multiple 20+ point games and will need several more to pull off a couple upsets!
Regional Semi-Final Matchups Tuesday February 16 @ 7 PM
Region 1
West Florida 48 – Marianna 42
Bishop Kenny 44 – Ribault 39
Region 2
Lake Highland Prep 67 – Eustis 57
Crystal River 59 – The Villages 40
Region 3
Lakewood 44 – Cocoa 35
Lincoln Park Academy 56 – Avon Park 27
Region 4
American Heritage (Delray) 52 – Mater Lakes Academy 51
Monsignor Pace 56 – Key West 47
Regional Final Matchups Friday February 19 @ 7 PM
Region 1
Bishop Kenny v West Florida
Region 2
Lake Highland Prep v Crystal River
Region 3
Lakewood v Lincoln Park Academy
Region 4
American Heritage (Delray) v Monsignor Pace
Michael Wholey is the Senior Scout of Prep Girls Hoop Florida and he can be reached directly at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or on Twitter or Instagram at @WholeyPrepHoops.