Orlando area teams tip off at FHSAA state tournament
It takes more than talent to maintain success at a high level.
Even as wins pile up for programs, coaches are tasked with finding ways to inspire players in hopes of keeping pace with ever-changing expectations during the course of a season.
Dr. Phillips girls basketball coach Anthony Jones said he’s had those types of conversations with longtime friend and Lake Highland Prep coach Al Honor.
“We all say the same thing,” Jones said. “When your girls are very talented it’s, ‘How do you continue to motivate them when they continue to win all the time?’ Keeping them motivated is the hardest thing to do.”
Dr. Phillips and Lake Highland return to the Florida High School Athletic Association state tournament this week as defending champions at RP Funding Center in Lakeland. They join Colonial, Kissimmee Gateway and Faith Christian of Orlando as semifinalists.
Colonial and Faith Christian are in the state tournament in back-to-back seasons. Gateway is making its first appearance.
Class 7A champ Dr. Phillips, which has won four titles under Jones dating to 2011, enters Friday’s semifinal round winners of 48 of 50 games since last season.
Lake Highland won the past three state titles in 4A and has claimed five championships in all since 2015.
“It’s a constant mind game when getting them prepared for these big center stage games,” Jones said. “Somehow my coaching staff digs down and finds things at practices that are fun for them. We challenge them all season with a tough schedule, and we try to find different things we can pull from as a team to help get them up for games.”
Admission to FHSAA state tournament games is $10 in advance and $13 on the day of event. Parking is $10.
Semifinal contests will be streamed online for a fee at NFHSNetwork.com. Championship games, including Saturday’s 7A final at 8 p.m., will be streamed by Spectrum Cable.
Friday
Class 7A
No. 1 Dr. Phillips (2 8 -1 ) vs. No. 4
Miami (2 3 -5 ), 1 2 :3 0 p.m.
Buzz: DP returned six of eight players that logged minutes during a 47-45 win vs. Miami in last year’s championship game. The Panthers also defeated Miami 52-47 in a 2013 state final. Junior guard Trinity Turner leads a young roster that includes freshman Kendall Perry (13.1 points per game) and five sophomores. Turner averages 20.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Miami senior Joelle Wilson is one of only three players back from a year ago. No. 2 Winter Haven (2 3 -4 ) vs. No. 3 Colonial (2 1 -8 ), 2 :3 0 Buzz: Colonial is in the state tournament for the second consecutive year and fourth time since 2013. Junior Carmen Richardson (13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists) and West Orange transfer Jasmynne Gibson (9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds) are among five players averaging at least 7 points per game. The Grenadiers defeated 5-time champion Winter Haven 40-37 last season. Freshman Serenity Hardy (17.5 ppg) and senior Bre’Asia Washington (12.6 ppg) pace the Blue Devils.
Thursday
Class 4A
No. 1 Lake Highland Prep (2 3 -6 ) vs. No. 4 Sarasota Booker (2 2 7),10 a.m.
Buzz: Three-time defending champion Highlanders are playing in the state tournament for the fifth consecutive season. Lake Highland defeated Booker 73-51 in last year’s state semifinal round.
Six players average at least 8 points per game, led by senior Eleecia Carter (12.9), junior Lexi Blue (12.4) and Wekiva transfer Jada Eads (12). Jakai Peterson averages 11 points for Booker. Winner plays Jacksonville Bishop Kenny (29-1) or Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (22-5) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Class 5A
No. 2 Daytona Beach Mainland (1 9 -8 ) vs. No. 3 Kissimmee Gateway (2 4 -6 ), 4
Buzz: Junior Malayna Stevenson leads Gateway in first state tournament appearance with 19 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Senior Vanessa Diaz averages 16.2 points for a squad that includes freshmen starters Alyssa Marino and Evana Rivera. Mainland junior Anovia Sheals averages 19.7 points and 9.1 rebounds. Senior Jordan Boddie (11.5 ppg) is a Lake Mary transfer. Winner plays Plantation American Heritage (22-7) or Clearwater (1810) on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Today
Class 2A
No. 1 Orange Park St. Johns Country Day (1 9 -5 ) vs. No. 4 Faith Christian (1 4 -1 1 ), 2
Buzz: Faith Christian took an unusual path in its return to the state tournament. The Lions, who went through two coaching changes and replaced its entire roster after last year’s runner-up finish, have scored at least 61 points in each of their past five games. Lake Nona transfer Holland Harris averages 16.9 points and 9 rebounds. Country Day guard Taliah Scott leads the state in scoring at 35.8 points per game. Winner plays Fort Myers Evangelical Christian (24-4) or Hialeah Horeb Christian (18-4) on Friday at 4:30 p.m.