Standouts: Region Tournament Week

The tickets to Lakeland were punched by 24 programs on Friday night. There will be plenty of talent to watch next week at the RP Funding Center when the FHSAA State Tournament will take place.

Here is a look at three matchups from 6A, 5A and 3A from Friday’s regional action and a 3A tilt in the region semifinal round from Tuesday.

Note: The State Final Four matchups are also listed below.

5A-Region 3 Final

Final Score: St. Pete 48, Barron Collier 47

Top Performers:

  • St. Pete – Dylan Kramer (14 points), Quez Curry (12 points), Sam Ducksworth (10 points)
  • Barron Collier – Mikey Reyes (13 points), Brayden Touchette (11 points), Noah French (11 points)

Analysis: A rematch of last year’s region final when St. Pete won 69-66, this one was just as memorable. St. Pete held on for the win 48-47 despite missing five straight free throws with just over a minute left and Barron Collier missing a bucket at the buzzer to win it (see video below)

—For St. Pete, 2023 6-6 F Dylan Kramer was instrumental in the second half with eight of his 14 points as he grinded it out down low and scored on nice feeds. 2023 6-0 G Sam Ducksworth was equally as key with eight of his 10 points, getting inside and slashing. 2023 5-11 G Quez Curry buried some long range shots in route to 12 points.

—Barron Collier played a complete game with 2023 6-4 G Mikey Reyes showing off his jumper with 13 points, 2023 6-5 F Brayden Touchette (11 points) getting inside and powering by guys and 2023 6-5 G Noah French (11 points) finishing well. The Cougars have a lot to proud of and a deep group of guys who play at the next level.

3A-Region 1 Final

Final Score: Providence 58, Florida State University High 55 (in OT)

Top Performers:

  • Florida State University High – Anthony Robinson (14 points), Trey Card (14 points), Marquez Allen (13 points)
  • Providence – Mason Lee (26 points), Jaylen Robinson (11 points)

Analysis: This game on paper was always going to be close so it was no surprise that ended in overtime by only three points. 2024 6-3 G David Fonville scored the going away bucket for Providence with under 30 seconds left in overtime on a great up court feed from 2024 6-6 G Chris Arias (Jacksonville commit). Florida State University High battled back late in the regulation and continued that grind in overtime.

—Providence earned a classic performance from 2023 6-6 G Mason Lee (North Florida commit) who dropped a game-best 26 points, which included 18 in the second half. He is a superb jumpshooter when he gets going. 2023 6-6 G/F Jaylen Robinson (11 points) hit some clutch free throws late and battled inside. This team plays so in-sync.

—For Florida State University High, the energy and effort level was high. The defending state champs saw 2023 6-3 G Anthony Robinson (Missouri commit) led the charge with 14 points and a lot of rebounds and ball movement in his final high school game. 2025 6-6 F Trey Card (14 points) did his thing inside and continues to get better. 2024 6-3 G Marquez Allen (13 points) emerged in the second half with some important finishes.

6A-Region 2 Final

Final Score: Wekiva 67, Lakeland 64

Top Performers:

  • Wekiva – Darius Livingston (11 points), Isaiah Bannister-Touchette (10 points)
  • Lakeland – Rolijah Hardy (28 points), Roderick Kelly (12 points), Kamaurri McKinley (11 points)

Analysis: Lakeland led for much of the night but it was Wekiva simply didn’t go away. 2023 6-6 G Malachi Hampton (Davis & Elkins commit) was super clutch despite playing with four fouls for much of the second half. He had a rebound under a minute, sank two free throws on a one-handed dunk attempt with 14 seconds left and then had the game sealing rebound.

—Wekiva had 2025 6-1 G Darius Livingston (11 points) making some well-timed jumpers while 2023 6-5 F Isaiah Bannister-Touchette (10 points) battled down low for all of his buckets. As mentioned above, Malachi Hampton only had four points on the night but over the last minute of play, he was everywhere for the Mustangs.

—For Lakeland, the quick and physical style of play worked all year long. 2023 6-2 G Rolijah Hardy (Navy football commit) had himself a night to remember with 28 points, he was hitting mid-range looks and driving inside over and over. 2023 6-2 G Roderick Kelly (Arkansas state football commit) had 12 points and 2023 6-0 G Kamaurri McKinley (East Carolina football commit) had 11 points each picked up their play as the game went alongside Hardy.

State Final Four Matchups

7A – Friday, March 3: Colonial vs. Columbus (12:30 PM), Oak Ridge vs. Winter Haven (2:30 PM)

6A – Thursday, March 2: Wharton vs. Dwyer (6 PM), Ponte Vedra vs. Wekiva (8 PM)

5A – Thursday, March 2: Jones vs. Belen Jesuit (2 PM) St. Pete vs. Mainland (4 PM)

4A – Thursday, March 2: Gibbs vs. Mater Lakes (10 AM), The Villages vs. Ribault (12 PM)

3A – Wednesday, March 1: Windermere Prep vs. Providence (10 AM), Tampa Catholic vs. Riviera Prep (12 PM)

2A – Wednesday, March 1: SLAM Tampa vs. Orlando Christian Prep (2 PM), North Florida Educational vs. Sagemont (4 PM)

1A – Wednesday, March 1: Franklin County vs. Williston (6 PM), Chipley vs. Hawthorne (8 PM)

3A-Region 2 Semifinal (From Tuesday)

Final Score: King’s Academy 66, Bell Creek 64

Top Performers:

  • King’s Academy – Javian Jones (22 points), Jermaine Council (17 points)
  • Bell Creek – Neil Falconer (18 points), Jermal Jones (16 points), Caleb Sanders (14 points), Ben Walker (12 points)

Analysis: This was an instant classic on Tuesday night as Bell Creek played host to a 26-1 West Palm Beach King’s Academy group. Bell Creek had multiple chances to tie the game up at the buzzer but couldn’t make it happen. The biggest lead in the game was only six points by King’s as the two sides went back and forth.

—For King’s, 2025 6-0 G Javian Jones had 13 of his team-best 22 points in the opening half, getting to the cup and hitting some tough mid-range looks. 2024 6-1 G Jermaine Council got going in the second half and added 17 points for the Lions as he is a true leader and athlete. This duo is dangerous.

—Bell Creek has a lot of good youth but will lose two senior leaders in 2023 5-10 G Neil Falconer (18 points) who finished time and time again at the cup and 2023 6-2 G Ben Walker (12 points) a gifted outside shooter. 2026 6-4 G Jermal Jones (16 points) was active and very skilled in transition while 2025 6-5 G Caleb Sanders (14 points) flashed his two-way play and strong finishing touch.

Must Attend: Spring Showcase

Looking to get your prospect to play against the top competition while also earning coverage from The Hoop Vibe scouts as well as media and college coaches in attendance evaluating? Make sure to attend the Spring Showcase on Saturday, March 18 at Bradenton Christian to further your game. Use the code JPerper10 to receive $10 off your purchase.


Jake Perper has been a sports writer since 2010 and a basketball scout since 2015. He was the Southeast Scouting Director for the Prep Hoops Circuit and the lead scout for Prep Hoops’ Florida site for seven years. You can follow him on Twitter @thehoopvibe.