Boys basketball: North Suncoast district preview

By DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writer
Published February 4, 2008

Unlike last season, when heavyweights such as Ridgewood and Springstead breezed through the regular season, there is a bit of intrigue. Sure, Ridgewood went undefeated in Class 5A, District 7, but it was two last-second shots from being swept by Land O'Lakes. Springstead, meanwhile, recently lost to Nature Coast and is without its leading scorer. A look at area teams' prospects for next week's district tournaments:

Class 6A, District 7, at Sickles

Tuesday - No. 4 Alonso vs. No. 5 Countryside, 6; No. 3 Gaither vs. No. 6 Mitchell, 8. Friday - No. 2 St. Petersburg vs. Gaither-Mitchell, 6; No. 1 Sickles vs. Alonso-Countryside, 8. Saturday - Final, 7.

Outlook, Last Year

It would be a shock if the championship is anything other than Sickles and St. Petersburg, who met in last year's 6A-7 final and split their two meetings this season. Mitchell won just one district game, but it was against first-round opponent Gaither.

Defending champ: Sickles

Runnerup: St. Petersburg

Class 5A, District 7, at Ridgewood

Tuesday - No. 4 Central vs. No. 5 River Ridge, 7. Friday - No. 2 Wesley Chapel vs. No. 3 Land O'Lakes, 6; No. 1 Ridgewood vs. Central-River Ridge, 8. Saturday - Final, 7.

Outlook, Last Year

The best matchup of this tournament won't be the championship. It will be a semifinal clash between Land O'Lakes and Wesley Chapel, who split their regular-season meetings. The Gators spanked the Wildcats 74-53, but Wesley Chapel shocked Land O'Lakes later in the season on a last-second shot. If Land O'Lakes can win this one, it will get a third shot at Ridgewood, to whom it suffered two last-second losses this season.

Defending champ: Ridgewood

Runnerup: Wesley Chapel

Class 4A, District 8, at Pasco

Today - No. 8 Sunlake vs. No. 9 Hernando, 7. Tuesday - No. 1Springstead vs. Sunlake-Hernando, 5:30; No. 2 Pasco vs. No. 7 Gulf, 7:30. Wednesday - No. 4 Zephyrhills vs. No. 5 Hudson, 5:30; No. 3 Nature Coast vs. No. 6 Wiregrass, 7:30. Friday - Semifinal (Springstead bracket), 5:30; semifinal (Pasco bracket), 7:30. Saturday - Final, 7.

Outlook, Last Year

Springstead and Pasco could face tough semifinal matchups against Hudson and Nature Coast, respectively.

Defending champ:Springstead

Runnerup: Nature Coast

Class 2A, District 9, at Tampa Prep

Friday - No. 2 Calvary Chr. vs. No. 3 Indian Rocks Chr., 6; No. 1 Tampa Prep vs. No. 4 Bishop McLaughlin, 7:30. Saturday - Final, 7.

Outlook, Last Year

Tampa Prep should once again dominate. But Calvary Christian and Indian Rocks Christian's semifinal matchup should be worth the price of admission.

Defending champ: Tampa Prep

Runnerup: Admiral Farragut

Class A, District 11, at Citrus Park Chr.

Tuesday - No. 3 Lakeside Christian vs. No. 2 Citrus Park, 5; No. 4 Academy at the Lakes vs. No. 1 Canterbury. Saturday - Final, 7.

Outlook, Last Year

It's a new district, but Canterbury swept through the regular season and should do the same in the tournament.

Defending champ: Calvary Christian

Runnerup: Oldsmar Christian

Class A, District 6, at Ocala Meadowbrook

Tuesday - No. 3 First Academy vs. No. 6 St. John Lutheran, 6; No. 4 Meadowbrook vs. No. 5 Cedar Key, 7:30. Friday - No. 2 Hernando Christian vs. First Academy-St. John Lutheran, 6; No. 1 Seven Rivers Christian vs. Meadowbrook-Cedar Key, 7:30. Saturday - Final, 7.

Outlook, Last Year

Seven Rivers has dominated this district for some time, but Hernando Christian needs just one win to earn the first playoff berth in the program's history. Leading scorer Marty George averages 19.8 points per game for the Lions.

Defending champ: Seven Rivers Christian

Runnerup: First Academy

[Last modified February 3, 2008, 21:23:16]