Predicting the 4A FHSAA State Playoffs

<strong>Predicting the 4A FHSAA State Playoffs</strong> By Michael Wholey 2/18/21 4:00 PM EST <strong><em>And then there were 8.  The FHSAA 4A Playoffs have reached the Regional Semi-Finals with this Fridays winners advancing to the final 4 in Lakeland.  Here is who we are predicting for 4A! </em></strong> <strong> </strong> <strong>4A </strong> <strong>Who are we predicting?</strong> <strong>Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, FL) 16-0</strong> <img class=" wp-image-246364 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Eleecia-Carter-261x300.png" alt="" width="171" height="196" />Lake Highland Prep is undefeated and the # 1 ranked team both in Florida and nationally.  They have played a strong schedule and have an extremely talented roster with the top front court in the state.  Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lake Highland Prep will take home the 4A State Championship.  Their regional semifinal game was a little close for comfort defeating Eustis 67-57 but, in the end, the Highlanders need to win 3 more to win the whole thing and we are predicting they will get it done.  Alabama signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91496" first="Kayla" last="Blackshear"]</strong> and recent Louisville verbal commitment <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91555" first="Nyla" last="Harris"]</strong> are strong, dominant, imposing forces on the interior.  The duo is a near impossible match up for anyone in 4A and I think they will just be too much to handle for their opponents.  On the perimeter UCF verbal commitment <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91585" first="Stefanie" last="Ingram"]</strong> is their emotional leader and sets the tone, while <strong>Bri Rivera</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91649" first="Eleecia" last="Carter"]</strong> provide the outside shooting to space the floor.  Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="217664" first="Lexi" last="Blue"]</strong> gives Lake Highland Prep a solid six player rotation.  Look for Lake Highland Prep to repeat as FHSAA 4A State Champions! <strong> </strong> <strong>Who is in their way? </strong> <strong>Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, FL) 19-9</strong> <img class=" wp-image-251956 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/Jas-e1613655178185-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="159" height="212" />Ultimately, the semi-final game could potentially be the equivalent of the State Championship game as Lake Highland Prep and Bishop Kenny are the two strongest teams in 4A.  The Crusaders have played a tough schedule taking some bumps along the way, making them as battle tested and as ready as any team still alive in the playoffs.  They are led by Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91482" first="Jasmyne" last="Roberts"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91547" first="Jamia" last="Nesmith"]</strong>, and Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91575" first="Maddie" last="Millar"]</strong>.  University of Miami signee is having a big-time season, proving why she is headed to play in the ACC next season.  She fills up the state sheet and is averaging 22.1 PPG to go along with 9.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 3.7 SPG.  6’0 Forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91547" first="Jamia" last="Nesmith"]</strong> has several double doubles on the season and is the Crusaders anchor in the paint averaging 9.5 points and 6.1 rebounds.  Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91575" first="Maddie" last="Millar"]</strong> could be one of the state’s most under rated players averaging 12.4 PPG.  The sharpshooter is averaging 4+ made 3-pointers per game shooting 38% from 3.  If anyone is capable of taking down Lake Highland Prep, Bishop Kenny has the best chance and will need a HUGE game from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91482" first="Jasmyne" last="Roberts"]</strong>! <strong> </strong> <strong>Who are the sleepers? </strong> <strong>American Heritage (Delray, FL) 12-4 </strong> <img class=" wp-image-231803 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/DSC_0049-1-e1611003308707-271x300.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="132" />American Heritage (Delray) is one of the state’s up and coming teams led by a young nucleus.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151282" first="Alancia" last="Ramsey"]</strong> is one of the state’s top forwards and has been getting it done all season averaging 20.3 PPG and 12.8 RPG.  Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="219924" first="Khadee" last="Hession"]</strong> has been a big addition to the Stallions averaging 12.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 3.2 SPG while Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151147" first="Taylor" last="Romano"]</strong> has been solid averaging 9.4 points per game including six games in double figures.  The X-Factor in this situation is 2022 Wisconsin verbal commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91559" first="Jordana" last="Codio"]</strong>.  The 6’0 wing is the team’s best player but has missed several games due to injury.  We do not expect her to play but should be healthy, she is capable to being a game changer! &nbsp; <strong>Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg, FL) 20-4 </strong> Lakewood has been the team to beat in Pinellas county over the last few years.  They struggled to get by Clearwater during the regular season with two of their 4 losses coming at the hands of the Tornadoes and the other two coming to Montverde Academy and Wekiva.  But now with Clearwater in the rear view, Lakewood has a path to get to Lakeland and potentially take home the whole thing! If they can get hot, look for Juniors <strong>Makayla Johnson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91574" first="Reilly" last="Webb"]</strong> to play a factor to go along with Senior <strong>Ta’Nauviyon Williams</strong>. &nbsp; <strong>Lincoln Park Academy (Fort Pierce, FL) 18-1 </strong> Lincoln Park Academy is well coached team who if can make it to Lakeland, could play a factor.  University of South Alabama <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91517" first="Deborah" last="Reese"]</strong> is their headliner and is averaging 14.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.  While Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91486" first="Christen" last="McCann"]</strong>, Senior <strong>Trisann Gordon</strong>, and Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="243988" first="Sophia" last="Marrero"]</strong> have all been consistent all season.  If Lincoln Park Academy, look for Reese to have a streak of big games! She has had multiple 20+ point games and will need several more to pull off a couple upsets! &nbsp; <strong>Regional Semi-Final Matchups Tuesday February 16 @ 7 PM</strong> <strong>Region 1</strong> West Florida 48 – Marianna 42 Bishop Kenny 44 – Ribault 39 <strong> </strong> <strong>Region 2</strong> Lake Highland Prep 67 – Eustis 57 Crystal River 59 – The Villages 40 <strong> </strong> <strong>Region 3</strong> Lakewood 44 – Cocoa 35 Lincoln Park Academy 56 – Avon Park 27 &nbsp; <strong>Region 4</strong> American Heritage (Delray) 52 – Mater Lakes Academy 51 Monsignor Pace 56 - Key West 47 &nbsp; <strong>Regional Final Matchups Friday February 19 @ 7 PM</strong> <strong>Region 1</strong> Bishop Kenny v West Florida <strong> </strong> <strong>Region 2</strong> Lake Highland Prep v Crystal River <strong> </strong> <strong>Region 3</strong> Lakewood v Lincoln Park Academy &nbsp; <strong>Region 4</strong> American Heritage (Delray) v Monsignor Pace &nbsp; <strong>Michael Wholey</strong> is the Senior Scout of Prep Girls Hoop Florida and he can be reached directly at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or on Twitter or Instagram at @WholeyPrepHoops.