It’s been a strange basketball season, with the coronavirus pandemic limiting the length of the season and the number of people who are allowed to attend games.
Despite the difficulties imposed by the virus, the state championships will proceed this week at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Two teams from Broward County and two teams from Palm Beach County earned trips to the state final four.
Here is a look at each local team hoping to return from Central Florida with a state championship trophy:
Class 7A
Palm Beach Lakes (12-1)
The Rams are back in Lakeland for the second year in a row. Last season, they were one-and-done, dropping the state semifinal game against Tampa Plant. Lakes dominated Palm Beach County competition this season, going 11-1 against county opponents with seniors Zaida Gonzalez and Deborrah Seitu-Redmon leading the way. The Rams are looking for the second state championship in program history; they have not won a championship since 2015. Lakes is ranked 16th in the state by MaxPreps. The Rams’ opponents in the state semifinals, Miami High, is 14-8 and is ranked 45th in the state. They play Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Class 6A
St. Thomas Aquinas (15-4)
St. Thomas Aquinas also returns to Lakeland this year after a one-year absence. Girls basketball is one of the few Aquinas programs without a state title. The 2018-19 Raiders came close to a championship but fell in the state title game. St. Thomas’ rival, Blanche Ely, won the Class 6A title after beating the Raiders in the playoffs. St Thomas got revenge this year, beating the Tigers in the regional semis. Led by senior Arkansas signee Samara Spencer and sophomore Karina Gordon, the Raiders have lost four games all season: three to Blanche Ely and one against fellow state semifinalist American Heritage. St. Thomas is ranked ninth in the state, and their opponent in the state semifinals, Punta Gorda Charlotte, is 22-2 and ranked 15th. They play at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Class 5A
American Heritage (23-2)
The Patriots are looking to make Florida history and become only the sixth girls basketball program to win four consecutive state titles. American Heritage would join two Broward County teams — Dillard (which won four straight championships from 2010-2013) and South Broward (which won four straight titles from 2000-2003) — and three out-of-county programs (Laurel Hill, Jacksonville Ribault and Miami Country Day) that have accomplished the feat. The Patriots are loaded, led by forwards and Florida Gators signees Taliyah and Tatyana Wyche and guards Joey Delancy and Sydney Shaw. Heritage is ranked fifth in the state and 14th in the nation. Their opponent, Clearwater, is 24-4 and ranked 44th in the state. The Patriots face Clearwater at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Class 4A
American Heritage-Delray (13-4)
The Stallions are trying to break new ground and win the program’s first state championship. Heritage is without one of its top players, junior Wisconsin commit Jordana Codio, who is out with an injury. But there is still plenty of talent on the Stallions’ roster, and they have made it this far in the postseason without Codio on the court. Sophomore Alancia Ramsey has picked up the pace, averaging 19.9 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. The Stallions, who are ranked 46th in the state, face Fort Pierce Lincoln Park at noon on Thursday. Lincoln Park is 19-1 and ranked 22nd in the state.
