Wekiva vs. LHP game postponed; 6 teams rank in Top 25

An anticipated showdown between two of the top girls basketball teams in the state has been postponed due to health and safety precautions.

Lake Highland Prep is sidelined until Tuesday after being notified of a positive COVID-19 case within the Port Orange Spruce Creek program. The Highlanders won 61-47 at home vs. Spruce Creek (10-5) early this week.

Lake Highland (15-3) ranks No. 1 and Wekiva (16-1) ranks No. 4 among all classifications in recent FHSAA power rankings. Those teams were scheduled to meet Friday in Apopka.

Although no makeup date has been determined, there is hope the game can be played before district tournaments begin Feb. 1.

“This area deserves to see the top teams compete. It’s huge for girls basketball,” Lake Highland coach Al Honor said. “We’re both traditional high school programs that work hard to make an imprint on the game, and we pride ourselves on producing strong, local players.”

Lake Highland, a state finalist each of the past four seasons, is the defending back-to-back Class 4A state champion. The Highlanders have not lost to an FHSAA opponent from the Orlando area since falling to eventual state champ Jones High in a 2017 regional semifinal.

Senior Louisville signee Nyla Harris has emerged as a leader this season on and off the court for Lake Highland. Harris averages 17.1 points and 11.2 rebounds vs. the state’s toughest strength of schedule, per FHSAA calculations.

“She’s really been carrying us and producing big time,” Honor said.

Wekiva ranks No. 2 in Class 6A behind Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (13-1). The Mustangs won the largeclass state championship in 2019 and finished 6A state runners-up in 2020 and ’21.

Wekiva coach Tommie Butts works alongside Honor on the travel-ball circuit in the offseason. But finding a new date for their teams to play is about much more than a friendly rivalry between coaches.

“We always look forward to playing teams like Lake Highland,” Butts said. “It’ll be a good game for the Central Florida area, and for our kids to see where we are at this particular time in the season.”

Sophomore guard Jada Eads continues to guide Wekiva. The Mustangs have been successful by limiting turnovers and improving on the defensive end, according to Butts.

Wekiva finishes its regular season slate at home on Jan. 27 against Dr. Phillips, which boosts a talented sophomore guard of its own.

The Panthers (16-5) rank No. 9 in the state and No. 1 in Class 7A behind the all-around efforts of Trinity Turner, who averages 15.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3 steals per game.

Senior Kalea Rainey (10.7 ppg) and freshmen Anilys Rolon (9 ppg) and Sariah Johnson (8.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) also have come up big for DP.

Colonial (16-5), which ranks No. 10 in the state and No. 2 in 7A, hosts Lake Highland next Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Sophomore Carmen Richardson averages 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 steals for the Grenadiers. Three others

average at least 7 points per game, including juniors

Milan Santos (9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Sophya Barreiro (7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3 apg), and senior Jaiden Ross (8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg).

Class 2A leaders Faith Christian (17-3) and Central Florida Christian Academy (13-2) rank No. 15 and No. 23 in the state, respectively.

Faith Christian plays at Kissimmee Gateway (15-5) on Friday before entering a rematch on the road Monday against Bishop Moore (13-4). Both games tip off at 6 p.m.

The Lions lost 54-47 in overtime vs. Bishop Moore last month.

Sophomores Dezmariah Soto (13.2 ppg, 4.3 apg) and Camryn Patterson (11.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg) lead the way for Faith Christian. Eighthgrader Ciara Hayes is chipping in with 10.1 points per game.