Previewing the 4A-5A Matchups in Lakeland

By Michael Wholey 2/21/23 5:00 PM EST   The 2023 FHSAA State Tournament starts this week, we take a look at the Class 4A-5A matchups in Lakeland.      4A   Lake Highland Prep v Booker   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Lexi-Blue-BS-Orl-2024.png?w=659" alt="" class="wp-image-572960" width="248" height="246" /></figure>   Booker is a bit of a dark house in 4A, coming out of Sarasota using a balanced attack and relying on steady performances from multiple players and a solid defensive attack.  [player_tooltip player_id='349275' first='Jakai' last='Peterson'], Sariah Bradley, Leah DuBose, and Kymani Freeman account for most of their offensive they go 10 deep getting contributions from all.  Lake Highland Prep on the other hand is the 4A favorite, proving to be one of the best teams in Florida all season, playing a challenging schedule and showcasing a deep and talented roster.  [player_tooltip player_id='91649' first='Eleecia' last='Carter'] led them in scoring but they have six players capable of going for double digits+ any given night.  If not Carter, [player_tooltip player_id='217664' first='Lexi' last='Blue'], [player_tooltip player_id='243885' first='Jada' last='Eads'], Bri Rivera, [player_tooltip player_id='248449' first='Arianna' last='Woodard'], and Camila Depool are all skilled and capable offensive players that make LHP very hard to gameplan against because you can't just take 1-2 players out of the game.        Bishop Kenny v Cardinal Gibbons   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/01/IMG_8372-e1611003868484.jpg?w=844" alt="" class="wp-image-247288" width="241" height="285" /></figure>   Bishop Kenny heads to Lakeland with a 29-1 record, having last lost in November to Westminster Academy.   They are one of the most well-balanced offensive teams that do a great job spreading the floor and sharing the ball.  [player_tooltip player_id='247118' first='Sophia' last='Rueppell'], [player_tooltip player_id='248345' first='Clare' last='Coyle'], [player_tooltip player_id='248348' first='Riley' last='Talbert'], and [player_tooltip player_id='217663' first='Sydney' last='Roundtree'] are all skilled offensive players who can shoot the ball.  They are a bit short handed in the front court with Coyle basically being their only inside presence but they can shoot it from the outside just as good as any team in the country.   Cardinal Gibbons has been playing some great basketball all season and also rely on an extremely well-balanced attack as well.  They have seven players averaging 7 points or more per game with [player_tooltip player_id='352563' first='Brooke' last='Buckman'] leading the on the season in both points (16.6) and rebounds (12.2).  Her supporting cast of Konstantina Mantziori, [player_tooltip player_id='398981' first='Jordan' last='Kosoy'], Taylor Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='900318' first='Kayla' last='Greyvensteyn'], [player_tooltip player_id='248695' first='Teagan' last='Wakefield'], and [player_tooltip player_id='221642' first='Savanna' last='Nicholson'] all contribute night in and night out, some stepping up more than others depending on the matchup.        Prediction   Lake Highland Prep is the most talented team in 4A by far.  I think the depth, athleticism and scoring ability of [player_tooltip player_id='91649' first='Eleecia' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='217664' first='Lexi' last='Blue'], [player_tooltip player_id='243885' first='Jada' last='Eads'], Bri Rivera, [player_tooltip player_id='248449' first='Arianna' last='Woodard'], and Camila Depool will be too much and look for Bri Rivera to have a big outside shooting performance in Lakeland knocking down 10+ 3-pointers in two games.      5A   American Heritage v Clearwater   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Jasleen-Green-AH-IMG_6622.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-572947" width="211" height="264" /></figure>   American Heritage is the team to beat in 5A having won each of the last five state championships.  They have a great mix of youth and of upper classmen with Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='468627' first='Jasleen' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='470459' first='Teriyah' last='McFadden'] leading the way for the Patriots.  Senior [player_tooltip player_id='219936' first='Mariah' last='Mckenzie'] gives them a steady upperclassmen presence while [player_tooltip player_id='515288' first='Dezuray' last='McGill'] gives them mass and size in the front court.  Clearwater took a big blow when they lost [player_tooltip player_id='166169' first='Liv' last='Fuller'] for the season.  It is up to sisters Senior Tatiyana Sturdivant and Sophomore Taina Sturdivant.The Tornadoes are capable of the upset, but it will be a tall task as the Patriots have had experience and success in Lakeland.       Mainland v Gateway   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/06/IMG_2295-scaled.jpeg?w=677" alt="" class="wp-image-452293" width="163" height="247" /></figure>   Mainland bounced back from a five-game losing streak in January, riding a five game winning streak heading to Lakeland. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='331735' first='Anovia' last='Sheals'] is their teams go to player averaging 19.7 points per game while Senior [player_tooltip player_id='91655' first='Jordan' last='Boddie'] (11.5 PPG) and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='248379' first='Tia' last='Dobson'] (10.2 PPG). On the other side Gateway [player_tooltip player_id='248261' first='Malayna' last='Stevenson'] is averaging 19 points per game shooting nearly 60% from the field and is 4th in the state in free throws made and [player_tooltip player_id='247124' first='Vanessa' last='Diaz'] (16.2) are the teams go to scorers while Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1215720' first='Alyssa' last='Marino'] is the team's floor general running the point guard position and getting the team in to their offense.     Prediction   Prediction here is American Heritage keeps their state championship steak going.  Their balanced offensive attack with strong inside presence is likely too much for the rest of 5A and their Freshman backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='468627' first='Jasleen' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='470459' first='Teriyah' last='McFadden'] will have big performances.      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 5:00 PM EST