Lakeland Bound: 6A State Finals Preview

The best time of the year is upon us with the state tournament starting in just a couple of days. The biggest surprise that 6A has brought us was an 8 seed (Mainland) beat out the 1 and 4 seeds in Region 1. Other than that, the four teams left are not big surprises since they have been successful all year long against quality opponents. Here is how those four have been re-seeded: <ol> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Blanche Ely (26-6)</em></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Wekiva (23-7)</em></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Braden River (17-9)</em></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Winter Haven (22-8)</em></span></li> </ol> <hr /> <strong>Matchup No. 1 - Wekiva vs. Braden River - 02/27/2020 @ 6 pm</strong> Wekiva won their first two regional matchups by over 40 points each, and had to beat a (quality) 8 seed to get to this point so they should still have a lot left in the tank. Braden River also didn't get tested much as they won their first two by over 30 points each before beating Ft. Myers by double digits. The only common opponent for these two is Lakewood which they both beat by double digits. They've both played a strong schedule with BR having one of the toughest in this classification. However, I think Wekiva is a deeper team, but Braden River has one of the strongest 1-2 punches in the state. Wekiva has more experience being in Lakeland last year, so it will be interesting to see if that makes a difference. Wekiva is the older of the two teams, and they are looking to defend their title last year when they won the 9A title. Last season, the Mustangs actually knocked off two teams who are still alive in the 7A tournament this week (Timber Creek and Miami). This Wekiva team is led by seniors <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/myanna-garrett/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/myanna-garrett/">Myanna Garrett</a></a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/danesha-boles/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/danesha-boles/">Danesha Boles</a></a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emerielle-james/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emerielle-james/">Emmy James</a></a>, and junior Shadaria Smith. Danesha and Myanna will be key in this game as Braden River has two young bigs who have improved tremendously throughout the year, and they also have two of the best rebounding guards in the state. Any of their top four players can take over a game which is huge if someone or multiple are having an off night. They are a fun team to watch with their experienced pieces, and you can't go wrong with any game that involves O'Mariah Gordon. Braden River was one game shy of a state appearance last year when they lost to Tampa Bay Tech who went on to win the whole thing in Class 8A. They are looking to change that narrative this season which they have done so far with this Lakeland trip. It doesn't hurt that they have O'Mariah Gordon who is, in my opinion, the best player in the state and has a chance at winning the Gatorade POY three years in a row. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/julia-rodriguez/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/julia-rodriguez/">Julia Rodriguez</a></a> is no joke either with the energy, vert, and speed she brings as the number two scoring option. Some lesser known players that can make a positive affect for the Pirates is Ellie Digiacomo from behind the arc and the young combo down low of Bella Patterson and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-capers/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-capers/">Aaliyah Capers</a></a>. <hr /> <strong>Matchup No. 2 - Blanche Ely vs. Winter Haven - 02/27/2020 @ 8 pm</strong> If you only look at games against common opponents in this one, Ely has a big advantage by going 7-0 against similar teams versus Winter Haven who is only 2-4 in those games. I don't think the Lady Blue Devils care too much about that as WH has always done things their own way and aren't intimidated by anyone. Blanche Ely will have a size advantage with 3 key players over 6-foot and a guard advantage with Ja'Leah Williams and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/michiyah-simmons/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/michiyah-simmons/">Michiyah Simmons</a></a>, so Winter Haven has their work cut out for them. Both of these teams had similar levels of opponents on their road to Lakeland with the Haven getting by a tough Tampa Bay Tech team (albeit without <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/janiah-barker/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/janiah-barker/">Janiah Barker</a></a>) and Ely beating out St. Thomas Aquinas and Dillard. I have to admit that these two have some of the coolest uniforms in the whole state, too As previously mentioned, Ely will have a height advantage with JaNiyah Moore, Jaylen Poinder, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/zaria-blake/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/zaria-blake/">Zaria Blake</a></a>. The Tigers also have a top backcourt in the state with Michiyah and Ja'Leah who lead this team in scoring and shooting the rock. Blanche Ely puts the ball in the hole better than anyone in 6A and have what I'd consider the best overall team in this classification, too. According to MaxPreps, Ely is the only top 10 team (regardless of class) in the state in this class as the number 5 overall with a lot of lower classification teams being up there. This team can flat out go. Winter Haven might not be what they once were, but this team is still very talented and they play as hard as anyone. In the games I've seen this year, I've been really impressed with <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/trinity-hardy/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/trinity-hardy/">Trinity Hardy</a></a> (2021) and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kayla-smith/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kayla-smith/">Kayla Smith</a></a>'s (2022) abilities to do multiple things for their team. Shelby Ricks in the lone senior who is one of their best on the glass and can score some big buckets when needed. Their 2021's are very strong with <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jazmine-spencer/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jazmine-spencer/">Jazmine Spencer</a></a> being a good distributor and another hard-nosed defender for this scrappy team. After those four, Shomari Phillips (2021) is big for them on the boards and putting some points up. Off of the bench, keep an eye on Jaida Young (2021) and freshman Bre'asia Washington to make an impact in this one.