Seminole climbs as favorites fall
Title dreams over for Apopka, Bishop Moore, Edgewater
A landslide of districttournament upsets have led to some unexpected matchups in the first round of boys basketball region play, which tips off Thursday night.
The surprises also shook up the Sentinel Super 16 area rankings significantly.
No. 1-seeded teams were winners in only half of the 14 districts involving area schools. Three of those top dogs — Apopka, Bishop Moore and Edgewater — saw outstanding seasons spoiled with semifinal losses that ended their state-championship hopes.
Two unranked teams — Wekiva (11-15) and Lake Nona (12-16) — survived and will meet in a 9A, Region 1 quarterfinal.
Here is the updated Super 16 with previous ranking in parentheses if changed. The rankings include only teams eligible for the FHSAA state playoffs: champs host Sarasota Riverview (15-12) on Thursday. A trip to Tampa Alonso (23-3) could be next.
2. (3) Windermere High (24-4)
Buzz: Second-year Wolverines rolled impressively through a tough 8A, District 5 tournament for their first district title.
3. (7) Seminole (21-4)
Buzz: Seminoles are 10-1 at home and are guaranteed to host the first two rounds of region play, Thursday and (with a victory) next Tuesday.
4. (6) Kissimmee Osceola (21-6)
Buzz: Kowboys, winners of 10 straight and 17 of past 18 games, join Oak Ridge and Vero Beach (24-3) as top-rated teams in 9A, Region 2.
5. Orlando Christian Prep (21-5)
Buzz: OCP hasn’t lost a 3A game in coach Treig Burke’s three seasons, but district final win vs. Mount Dora Christian was tight, 45-40.
6. (2) Apopka (22-4*)
Buzz: Big dreams came crashing down with heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to Wekiva. Injuries, illness hit at a bad time.
7. (8) Oviedo (21-7)
Buzz: Lions’ 10-game winning streak ended with 77-67 district-final loss to Seminole. Can they earn fourth shot at ’Noles?
8. (4) Edgewater (20-6*)
Buzz: A banner season ended abruptly with 54-51 district-semifinal loss to highly motivated Ocoee.
9. (10) Evans (20-7) 2-0
Buzz: District champ Trojans will take on Timber Creek in first homecourt region game since 2016.
10. (16) Poinciana (18-8)
Buzz: Eagles soared from fourth seed to 6A, District 13 champs. The Eagles have won 10 of past 11 games.
11. (NR) Central Florida Christian Academy (17-10)
Buzz: District-title win vs. top seed Lakeland Victory Christian gave CFCA 11 wins in a row since close loss to Windermere. 12. (NR) The Master’s Academy (21-7) Buzz: Eagles, seeking second consecutive 4A state tourney trip, regrouped after losing two key players and have won nine in a row.
13. (15). Eustis (18-8)
Buzz: Panthers stayed alive in 6A by knocking out two-time defending state champ Leesburg in decisive fashion, 63-50.
14. (9) Bishop Moore (20-5*)
Buzz: Ankle injury to senior star Hunter Cattoor doomed Hornets, who were eliminated by Poinciana 51-50 after being No. 1-rated in 6A.
15. (NR) Lake Highland Prep (16-12):
Buzz: Highlanders are hot. They spanked thenNo. 11 Jones 67-42 and thenNo. 10 TFA 81-67 to claim 5A district title. 16. Timber Creek (21-6) Buzz: Wolves were on a 15-1 run before losing 54-52 in overtime against Lake Nona, the 9A, District 4 Cinderella champ.
Watch list: Hagerty (17-11); Mount Dora Christian (22-4); The First Academy (15-12); Ocoee (17-11).