JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twelve area boys basketball teams are in the second round of the state playoffs on Tuesday night.
Three of those matchups are district championship rematches, Gainesville (16-12) at Columbia (16-13) in Region 1-7A, Bishop Kenny (13-14) at Paxon (23-3) in Region 1-6A and Jackson (22-6) at Bolles (23-6) in Region 1-5A.
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History this season indicates most of these games will be close until the very end.
All four games between Kenny and Paxon and Bolles and Jackson this year have been decided by a combined eight points.
Bolles and Jackson have split games this season, with the Tigers winning 53-50 last month and the Bulldogs winning the district championship, 42-41. Paxon has beaten Kenny both times, 42-39 in overtime in the regular season and 48-47 in the district final.
Columbia is 2-1 against Gainesville.
In addition, four area programs — Christ's Church, Impact Christian, North Florida Educational and University Christian — can reach the state semifinals with victories tonight.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
Regional semifinals
Region 1-8A
Fleming Island at Lee
Region 1-7A
Gainesville at Columbia
Region 1-6A
Bishop Kenny at Paxon
Region 2-6A
Palatka at Gainesville Eastside
Region 1-5A
Jackson at Bolles
Regional finals
Region 1-4A
Gainesville P.K. Yonge at University Christian
Region 1-3A
St. John Paul II at Christ’s Church
Region 1-2A
Crossroad at Impact Christian
Region 2-2A
Calvary Christian at North Florida Educational