We have reached the finale of the boys basketball season with district tournaments beginning this week Feb 6-10 at various sites around the area.
The top two teams from each district move on to the playoffs so its all about survive and advance now.
Can Providence, Creekside, Ribault, Parker or anybody else make it to Lakeland and bring home an elusive state title?
The Road to Lakeland starts this week with winning the district tournament and clinching home court.
Here is a run down of area district tournaments and a preview of each district.
District 1-9A
Seeding
1. Palm Coast (4-0)
2. Spruce Creek (3-1)
3. Deland (2-2)
4. Sandalwood (1-3)
5. Mandarin (0-4)
District Tournament (Feb 6-10) at Spruce Creek
Monday: No. 4 Sandalwood vs No. 5 Mandarin, 7
Wednesday: No. 1 Palm Coast vs 4/5 winner, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: No. 2 Spruce Creek vs No. 3 Deland
Friday: Championship, 7
Top Players
Sandalwood: Ezekiel Colon (14.6 p.p.g.), Logan Wright (14.1 p.p.g.)
Mandarin: Andrew Duong (Sr., G, 13.0 p.p.g.), Christian Wade (Sr., F, 9.4 p.p.g., 7.2 r.b.g.), Kevarin Matthews (Sr., F, 8.0 p.p.g., 6.1 r.p.g.), Ryan Ayala (Sr., G)
Spruce Creek: Hayden Bieri (Sr., G), Jerry Antoine (Sr.,G), RJ Rhoden (So., G), Bryan Rerko (Sr., G/F), Zach Smith (Sr., F/C)
Deland: Wyatt Hollmann (Jr., C, 12.5 p.p.g, 11.3 r.p.g.), Brodgie Gordon (Jr., G, 13.7 p.p.g), 5.5 a.p.g, 2.3 s.p.g.), Tavian Durrett (So., G, 10.3 p.p.g)
Palm Coast: Preston Harvey (Sr., G, 13.3 p.p.g.), Jamal Bernard (Jr., F/C), 7.0 p.p.g), Joel Wright (Sr., F), Ga’Quan Rogers (Sr., F/C, 7.5 r.p.g.), Fetherner Aime (Sr., G/F, 10.7 r.p.g.), D’Mahgio Warren So., G), Jerimiah Wilson (So., G)
Outlook
While Palm Coast (13-11) is the overwhelming favorite after going undefeated, don’t count out Spruce Creek (18-6) or Deland (15-9) as well. The Hawks, who have won 8 of their last 10 games, are well rounded and all five starters can step up and take over a game, including Smith who has committed to Palm Beach Atlantic. Deland, coached by former Jackson great Sebastian Singletary, is a dangerous team to keep an eye on. Sandalwood (8-14) and Mandarin (4-16) are both considered long shots to make the playoffs, although the Saints have won four out of their last 7 games.
Prediction
Champion: Spruce Creek
Runner-up: Palm Coast
