Lakeland Bound: 3A State Finals Preview

3A has consistently been one of the most competitive classifications all season long. They have competed at the highest level with the larger schools. We are now down to four, and here is how they have been re-seeded: <ol> <li><em>Carrollwood Day (25-2)</em></li> <li><em>Miami Country Day (21-9)</em></li> <li><em>Master's Academy (25-5)</em></li> <li><em>Saint Stephen's Episcopal (26-4)</em></li> </ol> <hr /> <strong>Matchup No. 1 - Miami Country Day vs. Master's Academy (Oviedo) - 02/26/2020 @ 6 pm</strong> Both of these teams lost to Lake Highland Prep, beat Florida State High, and beat Florida Prep once (Master's lost the first meeting against them). They have both played tremendous schedules, but MCDS has a bit more experience playing this time of the year. Miami Country Day is looking to win it's seventh state title in a row. You can't say enough good things about how successful this program has been. This team has faced some more adversity this season, but they have a ton of talent on this squad. The Spartans might be the deepest team in the state with players on the bench who would start and be stars at other schools. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/andrea-daley/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/andrea-daley/">Andrea Daley</a></a> (2021) is an athletic player who leads them in points and rebounds. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sydney-shaw/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sydney-shaw/">Sydney Shaw</a></a> (2022) is a top sophomore in Florida who is the number two scorer and number one in assists and steals for her team. Most of the players on this team will go to the next level, so make sure to keep an eye on: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emani-theodule/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emani-theodule/">Emani Theodule</a></a> (2022), <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chantell-gonzalez/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chantell-gonzalez/">Chantell Gonzalez</a></a> (2020, Siena commit), Gianna Corbitt (2024), <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kristina-godfrey/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kristina-godfrey/">Kristina Godfrey</a></a> (2023), <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/olivia-delancy/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/olivia-delancy/">Olivia Delancy</a></a> (2022), Kayla Nelms (2024), and unsigned senior Milani McCormack. No one should be surprised that Master's has made it here, but I'm sure there are still some skeptics. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-irizarry/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-irizarry/">Aaliyah Irizarry</a></a> (2020, Furman commit) is the veteran leader on this team with a trio of talented Freshman. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-kitts/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-kitts/">Chloe Kitts</a></a>, Hannah Kohn, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kiara-harris/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kiara-harris/">Kiara Harris</a></a> make up what is the most impressive 2023 class in the state. Those three are all averaging double digits points, and Kitts is actually averaging a double double with rebounds too. Master's has the size and guards to knock off a high-caliber team like Country Day. Teams can't afford to overlook the Eagles because of their youth. <hr /> <strong>Matchup No. 2 - Carrollwood Day (Tampa) vs. St Stephen's Episcopal (Bradenton) - 02/26/2020 @ 8 pm</strong> Size is going to be a big factor in this game. St Stephen's will have the tallest player in this game, but Carrollwood Day has three players over 6 foot that are all going to eventually play Division 1 basketball. Both of these teams have beat Booker and Berkeley Prep this year as some similar opponents they've faced. CDS has three bigs that have dominated the paint all year long: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/weeyah-mcgill/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/weeyah-mcgill/">Nabaweeyah McGill</a></a> (2020, Texas A&amp;M commit), <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tiasia-mcmillan/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tiasia-mcmillan/">Tiasia McMillan</a></a> (2020, Colgate commit), and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ary-dizon/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ary-dizon/">Ary Dizon</a></a> (2021). They all can block shots, crash the boards on both ends, and have developed impressive mid-range games. The Patriots have a just as incredible backcourt with: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tarriyonna-gary/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tarriyonna-gary/">Tarriyonna Gary</a></a> (2020, Towson commit), <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maliyah-perry/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maliyah-perry/">Maliyah Perry</a></a> (2020, Rollins commit), and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/milahnie-perry/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/milahnie-perry/">Milahnie Perry</a></a> (2022). They are easily a top 5 team I've seen this year with a great shot at getting revenge on Miami Country Day this year after being knocked out by them the last two years. St. Stephen's and Sarah Evans (2020) will have their hands full down low against this CDS team. The Falcons do have a pair of 2022 guards that lead the way is scoring in Jamie Springstead and Maddy Boehm. They'll need to score in bunches to snag the first-round upset.