Previewing the 1A-3A Matchups in Lakeland

By Michael Wholey 2/21/23 12:00 PM EST   The 2023 FHSAA State Tournament starts this week, we take a look at the Class 1A-3A matchups in Lakeland.     1A   Ponce De Leon v Hawthorne   Ponce De Leon is 20-3 and is led by 5'11 Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='400805' first='Carmen' last='Jones']. She averages 17.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, averaging close to a double-double. Hawthorne is 13-5 and riding a 7-game winning streak and is led by De'Mya Adams, [player_tooltip player_id='223867' first='Jaz'lyn' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='349374' first='Jhalea' last='Jackson'] who account for more than 45 points per game. Look for this matchup to be a back and forth battle and come down to the final couple of plays.     Wildwood v Graceville   [player_tooltip player_id='400803' first='Trinidy' last='Harris'] can do it all for Wildwood. She can score off the bounce, knock it down from outside, and is a pesky defender. She is averaging 22.8 points per game while [player_tooltip player_id='514905' first='Zoey' last='Brown'] and Zaria Weaver are her supporting cast. Graceville is young and talented with Sophomore Brianna Adams, Freshman Alexis Clark, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='603701' first='Charity' last='Fountain']. Graceville comes in with a 20-4 record while Wildwood enters at 23-1.     Prediction   It is almost automatic to punch tickets to Lakeland in 1A for Ponce De Leon, Hawthorne, and Wildwood. [player_tooltip player_id='400803' first='Trinidy' last='Harris'] is not only the most talented players in 1A but one of the most talented players in the state. In the end, she will be too much to handle and Wildwood will be crowned State Champs!     2A   St. Johns Country Day v Faith Christian   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/01/Taliah-Scott-SBE-0.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-382559" width="168" height="224" /></figure>   If you going to defeat St. Johns Country Day, you got to stop [player_tooltip player_id='91651' first='Taliah' last='Scott']. The 5'9 Senior guard leads the state of Florida with 35.8 points per game, while [player_tooltip player_id='221691' first='Mary' last='Kate Kent'] averages 13.9 points accounting for 75% of their teams' points. Faith Christian is led by Hollard Harris, [player_tooltip player_id='244190' first='Kylee' last='Kitts'], and [player_tooltip player_id='219928' first='Leah' last='Barnes']. The three give them height and length that very few teams in the state have. Depth is a major issue for Faith Christian as they do not really have a bench. It will be a interesting matchup that could go either way.     Evangelical Christian v Horeb Christian   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Emely-Rodriguez-BOF-FdbzC3AWYAIclVq.jpeg?w=628" alt="" class="wp-image-572894" width="169" height="276" /></figure>   ECS gets 40 points per game from Junior Zaira Mitchell, Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='346883' first='Maddie' last='O'Berski'], and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='515087' first='Kellisia' last='Grant']. They are undefeated in 2023, having last lost on December 29th. They are 29-4 and playing their best basketball of the season. On the other side Horeb Christian has [player_tooltip player_id='572864' first='Emely' last='Rodriguez'], one of the most talented players and prolific scorers in the state. Stopping Rodriguez is much easier said then done, as she can fill up the stat sheet quickly and often. She can score inside, outside, off the dribble, in the paint, and everywhere in between.       Prediction   I am rooting for a St. Johns Country Day v Horeb Christian matchup to see [player_tooltip player_id='91651' first='Taliah' last='Scott'] go head-to-head against [player_tooltip player_id='572864' first='Emely' last='Rodriguez']. The two are the both capable of going for 40+ each and are worth the price of admission. Prediction is St. Johns Country Day has a bit more depth and balance and take home the 2A State Championship.     3A   Miami Country Day v Providence School   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/02/IMG_2988-e1643673811400.jpg?w=588" alt="" class="wp-image-382917" width="235" height="240" /></figure>   Miami Country Day makes their reservations in Lakeland a year in advance as they are a staple in the 3A Final Four. The state championship game in 3A could have happened last week when Miami Country Day took down Westminster Academy in the Regional finals. [player_tooltip player_id='217667' first='Kayla' last='Nelms'] and [player_tooltip player_id='91642' first='Kristina' last='Godfrey'] are the players to stop for the Spartans. They are as tough of an inside out combo as any team in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='247233' first='Ella' last='Ortman'] is the player to stop for Providence School. The Senior sharpshooter knocking down 3+ 3-pointers per game.     Cardinal Mooney v King's Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/09/10-Olivia-Davis-2-e1614637637752.jpg?w=1010" alt="" class="wp-image-204259" width="317" height="320" /></figure>   This game might be one of the top matchups in Lakeland. Cardinal Mooney has a dangerous inside out duo of Senior [player_tooltip player_id='91658' first='Olivia' last='Davis'] and Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='243900' first='Kali' last='Barrett']. Davis is the team's emotion leader while also being their leading scorer and main ball handler. She does a great job controlling the tempo and playing out of ball screens getting into the paint and knocking down open shots. Barrett really benefits from Davis crafty play out of ball screens, finishing well in the paint and running the floor hard. King's Academy relies heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='243896' first='Jade' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='247134' first='Janessa' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='243926' first='Jordan' last='Race']. All three average 10+ points per game while Williams averages a double double (16.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per game).     Prediction   Miami Country Day is rich in history and has shown the ability to go to Lakeland and take care of business. Look for Miami Country Day to take home the 3A State Championship. Nelms and Godfrey are a tough inside out combo to match up against and none of the other three teams in 3A have anyone that can matchup in the paint against Nelms.     Michael Wholey is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.

By Michael Wholey 2/21/23 12:00 PM EST