JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Seven area girls high school basketball teams are still standing in the state playoffs.
Tocoi Creek, Bishop Kenny, Bolles, Providence, Eagle’s View, NFEI and Hilliard all won their second round games on Tuesday night.
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That sets up heavyweight showdowns on Friday night in the regional finals, with region No. 1-2 clashes in Region 1-6A (Tocoi Creek-Niceville), 1-4A (Rickards-Bishop Kenny), 1-3A (Rutherford-Bolles) and 1-1A (Eagle’s View-NFEI). Providence will also host the winner of San Jose Prep and The First Academy.
For Bishop Kenny and Providence, this is familiar territory. The Crusaders have won six consecutive regional finals and will be favored against Rickards. Providence has won back-to-back regional finals. Bolles, which routed South Walton 65-43, is after its first spot in the final four. Rutherford has beaten the Bulldogs three consecutive seasons in the playoffs.
Tocoi Creek’s run continues into the regional finals. The Toros, who had never been in the playoffs before this year, beat Lake Howell 75-69 to move into the third round.
In Region 3-1R, Hilliard edged Fort White 67-64 to advance to next week’s state semifinals in Lakeland. The Red Flashes will face Wildwood on Feb. 26.
Regional semifinals
Tuesday’s results
Region 1-6A
(1) Tocoi Creek 75, (4) Lake Howell 69
(2) Niceville 47, (3) Bartram Trail 33
Region 1-5A
(1) Pensacola Booker T. Washington 54, (4) Ridgeview 46, 2 OT
(2) Gainesville 61, (3) Beachside 38
Region 1-4A
(1) Bishop Kenny 48, (4) Fort Walton Beach 12
(2) Rickards 59, (3) Ribault 47
Region 1-3A
(1) Bolles 65, (5) South Walton 43
Region 1-2A
(1) Providence 61, (4) Ocala Trinity Catholic 31
(3) San Jose Prep (14-9) at (2) The First Academy (23-4), late
Region 1-1A
(1) NFEI 76, (4) Seven Rivers Christian 25
(2) Eagle’s View 38, (3) Florida Deaf 27
Regional finals
Region 3-1R
(1) Hilliard 67, (2) Fort White 64
Regional finals all games Feb. 21
Region 1-6A
(2) Niceville (21-6) at (1) Tocoi Creek (19-7)
Region 1-4A
(2) Rickards (19-3) at (1) Bishop Kenny (25-4)
Region 1-3A
(2) Rutherford (22-3) at (1) Bolles (23-5)
Region 1-2A
(3) San Jose Prep (14-9)/(2) The First Academy (23-4) at (1) Providence (22-6)
Region 1-1A
(2) Eagle’s View (20-9) at (1) NFEI (18-12)
State semifinals
Class 1A
Wildwood (23-0) vs. Hilliard (18-8), Feb. 26, Lakeland
