JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Seven area boys high school basketball teams remain standing in the state playoffs, with some heavyweight all-local showdowns headed this way next.
All of the area’s top-seeded teams won in Wednesday’s second round — Ponte Vedra crushed Gulf Breeze (51-32) in Region 1-6A; Ribault drilled Bay (69-50) in 1-4A; Providence plastered Master’s Academy, 67-27, in 1-3A; and North Florida Educational edged Crossroad Academy 94-84 in 1-2A.
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That sets up two colossal showdowns for Friday night, with state semifinal berths on the line.
Ribault will host Bishop Kenny. The Crusaders topped Paxon 51-44 in the second round. And Impact Christian will visit NFEI. The Lions beat St. Joseph 50-33. Impact and NFEI have made that region their showcase. Those teams have been constants in Lakeland during their tenure.
Regional semifinals
Tuesday’s results
Region 1-6A
(1) Ponte Vedra 51, (4) Gulf Breeze 32
(2) Gainesville 47, (3) Oakleaf 42
Region 1-5A
(1) Mainland 32, (4) Riverside 29
(3) Columbia 69, (2) Booker T. Washington 55
Region 1-4A
(1) Ribault 69, (5) Bay 50
(3) Bishop Kenny 51, (2) Paxon 44
Region 1-3A
(1) Providence 67, (5) Master’s Academy 27
Region 1-2A
(1) NFEI 94, (5) Crossroad Academy 85
(2) Impact Christian 50, (3) St. Joseph 33
Regional finals
Games Friday at 7 p.m. unless indicated
Region 1-6A
(2) Gainesville (23-6) at (1) Ponte Vedra (21-6)
Region 1-5A
(3) Columbia (20-9) at (1) Mainland (23-5)
Region 1-4A
(3) Bishop Kenny (21-8) at (1) Ribault (24-4)
Region 1-3A
(2) Florida High (27-2) at (1) Providence (27-2)
Region 1-2A
(2) Impact Christian (20-8) at (1) NFEI (21-8)