FHSAA boys basketball 2A semifinals preview: Can anyone stop Ven-Allen Lubin and Orlando Christian Prep?
We have reached the Final Four across all seven classifications in the 2022 Florida high school athletic association (FHSAA) boys’ basketball playoffs.
Starting Wednesday and continuing through Saturday, 21 games will take place at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland (Home of the NBA G-League’s Lakeland Magic). SBLive is previewing all seven semifinals matchups.
Here’s a look at the Class 2A semifinals:
Class 2A semifinal No. 1: First Baptist Academy (Naples) vs. Orlando Christian Prep - Wednesday at 10 a.m.
The first semifinal in class 2A pits the Orlando Christian Prep Warriors (24-4) vs. the First Baptist Academy (Naples) Lions (26-2) on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m ET.
The Lions come into the state semifinals riding a 20-game winning streak that dates to December 27. “We just took it one game at a time,” First Baptist Academy head coach Scott Stewart said after their regional final win over Bradenton Christian.
First Baptist Academy reached the final four back in the 2018-2019 season, where they lost to St. John Paul II (Tallahassee).
Players to watch for First Baptist Academy: Junior forward Latrell Davis (16.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game), junior forward Olsen Henry (14.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game) and senior guard Bennett Mather (8.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game)
The Warriors come into the state semifinals ranked in the Top 10 in the state of Florida across all classifications. They have won 14 consecutive games, a streak that dates back to December 21 when they lost to 4A semifinalist Calvary Christian Academy 73-66 in overtime.
The Warriors are eyeing their sixth straight appearance in the state championship game. They won state titles in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021 and finished as runners-up in 2019.
Players to watch for Orlando Christian Prep: Senior guard AJ Brown (Ohio commit)- 17.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin (Notre Dame commit)- 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, sophomore Ameer Ramadan (7.3 points and 3.9 assists per game) and junior forward Jayden Hastings- 5.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game
Prediction: Orlando Christian Prep
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Class 2A semifinal No. 2: North Florida Educational Institute vs. Sagemont - Wednesday at noon
The second semifinal in Class 2A will feature a first-time semifinalist in the Sagemont Lions (24-6) vs. the North Florida Educational Institute Fighting Eagles (24-7).
The Lions come into Lakeland on a six-game winning streak and have won 10 of their last 11 games.
The Lions are led by fourth-year head coach David Roe who has led the program to their first 20-win season since 2017.
Players to watch for Sagemont: Senior forward Adrian Cruz (19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game), junior guard Cameron Gibson (11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and two steals per game) and junior forward Tynan Becker (11.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game)
The Fighting Eagles are back in the Final Four for the second time under head coach Stacey Poole Jr. (they also reached the championship game in 2019).
The Fighting Eagles are riding a seven-game winning streak, with six of the wins coming by double digits.
Players to watch for North Florida Educational Institute: Junior guard Isaac Tevarus (16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game), junior guard Tommie Hall (10.6 points per game), senior forward Melian Martinez (8.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game) and senior guard Javon Prindle (7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game)
Prediction: Sagemont
