Seven area high school basketball teams advance to regional title game

With 14 boys and girls high school basketball teams earning playoff bids, the West Orange and Southwest Orange communities have been well represented in the 2024-25 FHSAA postseason. 

Although the area is filled with talented teams, and it was expected that a variety of teams would have a chance at a state championship, not many would have guessed that through two rounds of the boys and girls playoffs a total of seven area teams would have reached the regional championship round and still have their state championship hopes alive.

Well, that's exactly what happened with five girls teams and two boys teams advancing and setting their sites on securing their spots in Lakeland for the final four.

BOYS

For the boys, the two area teams that punched their tickets to their respective regional championship games are Windermere High in Class 7A, Region 2 and Central Florida Christian Academy in Class 1A, Region 2. 

The Wolverines reached their title game by topping St. Cloud High at home Feb. 20, 60-41, bettering their record on the season to 24-5. Next up in Windermere's pursuit of the program's state championship will be a familiar foe, district rival Oak Ridge High (17-9). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Windermere with a spot in the final four on the line. 

In 1A, Central Florida Christian Academy is the only other boys area team to reach the regional title match after the Eagles topped Zephyrhills Christian Academy, 65-45, at home and improving to 21-8 on the season. CFCA will travel to No. 1 seed North Tampa Christian Academy (23-6) for a chance to keep its state title chances alive. This game will also begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. 

GIRLS

Three-time defending state champions Dr. Phillips High (18-9) and Ocoee High (24-3) in 7A, Horizon High (19-8) in 6A, Windermere Prep (21-7) in 3A and CFCA's girls team in 1A have all reached their respective regional championship game — once again showing just how talented the area is in the sport.

In region 1 of the state's largest classification, 7A, the Lady Knights won a second playoff nail-biter, topping Spruce Creek High (15-14) by one point, 34-33, and clinching their spot in the regional title game against Timber Creek High (25-4). In 7A, Region 2, Dr. Phillips continued its dominant postseason performance by defeating Palm Beach Lakes High (14-9) by nearly 40 points, 76-37. The Panthers will host Centennial High (18-8) for the regional crown. 

As both teams are No. 1 seeds in their regions, they'll host the title games. All five regional title games are set for a 7 p.m. tip Friday, Feb. 21. 

In 6A, the No. 2 seeded Hawks topped Edgewater High (17-9), 72-60, to earn a spot in the Region 2 finals; Horizon will be on the road at Bloomingdale High (22-5) for their chance at a final four spot. The Lakers of Windermere Prep will represent the area in the 3A, Region 2 final on the road against Cardinal Mooney (21-9) after a comfortable home win over The Villages Charter (23-6), 74-53. 

Moving down to the state's smallest classification, 1A, the CFCA Lady Eagles (20-8) matched the boys program by also advancing to the regional title round after taking care of North Tampa Christian Academy (17-10) in a 53-42 Region 2 semifinal win. CFCA will face off against Mount Dora Christian Academy (18-9) at home, joining DP and Ocoee as the only area girls teams that will host their regional title game.