Northeast Florida has crowned regional champs that will represent the area in Lakeland Florida at the FHSAA state semifinals. Four teams punched their tickets to the Final 4. Let’s meet the teams and preview their opponents this week.
Class 2A
St. Johns Country Day (19-5)
St. John’s Country Day defeated North Florida Educational Institute 50-49 to advance to the Final 4. It’s their frist regional championship since 1986. The Lady Spartans will face Faith Christian in the Final 4. It will be Mc Donald’s All-American Taliah Scott who averages 36.6ppg versus Faith Christian’s Holland Harris who averages 16.9 ppg. Head Coach Yolonda Bronston guides her team to Lakeland after several narrow misses in the past, looking to bring a championship back to Northeast Florida.
Class 3A
Providence (22-5)
Providence defeated P.K Yonge 64-58 to advance to the Final 4 in Lakeland. Abby Kanady scored 17 points, Ella Ortman scored 13 points, Janai Jordan scored 10 points in the regional championship. The Lady Stallions coached by Gigi Bistrow will face Miami Country Day. Kayla Nelms who averages 17.9 ppg leads Miami Country Day. Providence is led by Ella Ortman, who averages 18.0 ppg. Although Providence and Miami Country Day have comporable high scorers, the teams are very different historically. MCD has won seven of the past nine championships. Providence looks for the the upset this week.
Class 4A
Bishop Kenny (29-1)
Bishop Kenny is going back to Lakeland for a the fifth straight year. For Coach Will Mayer, it’s his second straight visit leading the Crusaders to the Final 4 after defeating Rutherford 50-43. Senior Sophia Rueppell led the way with 19 points, while Riley Talbert chipped in with 15 points, and Clare Coyle’s 10 points lifted the regional champs. Kenny will face Cardinal Gibbons for the chance to return to the state championship. The Crusaders have had several opportunities at a title the last four tries, they hope that a fifth times a charm.
Class 6A
Oakleaf (26-2)
Oakleaf returns to the Final 4 for the second time in three years. The Lady Knights defeated Land O’ Lakes 68-36 in the regional finals Friday. Led by Fantasia James (18.4ppg) , Kaylah Turner (23.0ppg), and Trista Brown (9.4ppg), coach Frederick Cole has a team of talented and experienced playmakers heading to Lakeland to face Charlotte. Charlotte is led by D’yanis Jimenez (16.0ppg), Adriana Lorfida (10.7ppg), and Kamie Ellis (10.4ppg). It will be a matchup of similarly talented evenly matched teams, however Oakleaf is motivated to finish what they started two years ago.
