FHSAA boys basketball 5A semifinals preview: Will Stranahan and St. Petersburg advance to state championship game?

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 5A semifinals:

Class 5A semifinal No. 1: Pine Forest (Pensacola) vs. Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) - Thursday at 2 p.m.

The first semifinal in Class 5A features a matchup separated by 653 miles. 

The Pine Forest (Pensacola) Eagles are in the Final Four for the first time since 2013. They will face the Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) Dragons who are back in the Final Four for the second time in three years.

The Eagles got to the final four by defeating Jacksonville Riverside 62-59, on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by junior guard Joshua Whitehurst.

How did Pine Forest get here? Defeated Tallahassee Rickards 50-46 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Ribault 76-61 in the regional semifinals and defeated Riverside 62-59 in the regional final.

Players to watch for Pine Forest: Junior guard Josh Whitehurst (13.6 points per game), senior forward Omarayon Turner (11.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game) and junior Ozell Purifoy (11.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game)

The Stranahan Dragons are the number one ranked team in Class 5A, according to multiple media polls. They have two players averaging double-doubles - Hykeem Williams and Houston Culpepper.

How did Stranahan get here? Defeated Eau Gallie 66-48 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Belen Jesuit 54-36 in the regional semifinals and defeated Miami Norland 56-43 in the regional final.

Players to watch for Stranahan: Junior forward Hykeem Williams (12.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game), senior guard Houston Culpepper (10.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game) and senior guard Tamarrien Thorpe (10.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game)

Prediction: Stranahan

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Class 5A semifinal No. 2: St. Petersburg vs. Orlando Jones - Thursday at 4 p.m.

The second 5A semifinal features the St. Petersburg Green Devils (24-5) vs. a talented Orlando Jones squad.

The Green Devils are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2018 and are led by head coach Chris Blackwell who is in his 21st season.

How did St. Petersburg get here? Defeated Seminole 71-47 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Bradenton Southeast 80-77 in the regional semifinals and defeated Barron Collier 69-66 in the regional final.

Players to watch for St. Petersburg: Junior guard Tristan Gross (20.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game), senior forward Derrick Mitchell (12.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game) and junior forward Dylan Kramer (10.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game)

The Jones Tigers (20-7) are one win away from reaching the state championship game for the first time since 2011.

How did Orlando Jones get here? Defeated Kissimmee Gateway 63-50 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Jesuit 65-54 in the regional semifinals and defeated King (Tampa) 49-47 in the regional final.

Players to watch for Orlando Jones: N/A

Prediction: St. Petersburg