FHSAA boys basketball 6A semifinals preview: Will Martin County and Winter Haven 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 6A semifinals:
Class 6A semifinal No. 1: Wharton (Tampa) vs Martin County - Thursday at 6 p.m.
The first semifinal in Class 6A features a matchup of two old-school coaches as the Wharton Wildcats (28-2) take on the Martin County Tigers (25-4).
Wharton is making its first Final Four appearance since 2013.
“There’s no better feeling than when you reach the Final Four,” Wharton head coach Tommy Tonelli said after their regional final win over Sumner last week.
The Wildcats come into Lakeland on a six-game winning streak. With a win, the Wildcats will reach their first state championship game in school history.
How did Wharton get here? Defeated Leto 62-39 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Palmetto 58-36 in the regional semifinals and defeated Sumner 50-11 in the regional final.
Players to watch for Wharton: Senior forward Trevor Dyson, senior forward Carlos Nesbitt and junior guard Chandler Davis.
On the other side, the Martin County Tigers are currently riding an eight-game winning streak.
The Tigers are led by 12th year head coach John Leon who is making his second trip to the Final Four as a coach.
How did Martin County get here? Defeated Dillard 49-38 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Dwyer 68-65 in the regional semifinal and defeated Pembroke Pines Charter 52-47 in the regional final.
Players to watch for Martin County: Sophomore guard Elijah Duval (18.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game), senior forward Ryan Davis (15.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and two assists per game), senior guard Jack Pierrelus (8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game) and senior guard Braydin Samuels (8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game)
Prediction: Martin County
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Class 6A semifinal No. 2: Winter Haven vs. Ponte Vedra - Thursday at 8 p.m.
In the other 6A semifinal the Winter Haven Blue Devils (23-7) will play the Ponte Vedra Sharks (26-3).
The Blue Devils last made it to the Final Four in 2018 when they lost to Creekside 78-59.
Winter Haven is looking to advance to the state championship game for the first time since 2004. With a win, it would also mark the third year in a row Polk County has been represented in the state championship game (Bartow won state titles in 2020 and 2021).
How did Winter Haven get here? Defeated Edgewater 68-60 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Wekiva 70-50 in the regional semifinals and defeated Lakeland 49-39 in the regional finals.
Players to watch for Winter Haven: Sophomore guard Isaac Celiscar (18.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game), junior forward Dylan James (15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game), sophomore guard Jamie Phillips Jr. (13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game)
On the other side, the Ponte Vedra Sharks are in the Final Four for the first time in school history.
The Sharks come into Lakeland on an eight-game winning streak that dates to January 25, when they lost to Bishop Snyder 45-41.
The 26 wins is also the most in school history for the Sharks.
With a win, the Sharks will seek to become the first metro-Jacksonville area school to win a state championship since Bolles in 2016.
How did Ponte Vedra get here? Defeated Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) 68-35 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Crestview 57-49 in the regional semifinals and defeated Fleming Island 60-49 in the regional finals.
Players to watch for Ponte Vedra: Senior forward Ross Candelino (14.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game), senior guard Luke Pirris (11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game), senior guard JT Kelly (10.1 points per game) and junior guard Nathan Bunkosky (10.0 points and 4.3 assists per game)
Prediction: Winter Haven
