Boys basketball: Tonight’s area region semifinal breakdown — Feb. 21

Here are the capsules for tonight’s region semifinal games involving area teams. The winners advance to Friday’s region finals. 

Class 7A

Region 3

Plant (19-10) at Winter Haven (24-4), 7

The Panthers, who won their first district title since 2008, beat East Lake in the quarterfinals to extend their win streak to nine games. To keep that going, Plant will have to travel to take on the Blue Devils, who are ranked No. 3 in the class and No. 4 overall in the state by MaxPreps. Winter Haven also is on a nine-game win streak.

Alonso (19-8) at Newsome (25-3), 7

This is the first meeting between the Hillsborough County teams. The host Wolves have won four straight games. Two of their three losses were by single digits. The Ravens bounced back in a big way, beating Plant City in the quarterfinals to snap a three-game losing streak.

Class 6A

Region 3

Naples Palmetto Ridge (22-3) at Wharton (22-6), 7

The host Wildcats have won five of their past six games, the lone loss coming against Leto in the district final. The Bears, winners of six straight games, are not as formidable away from home, where they are undefeated (12-0). All three of their losses were on the road.

Class 5A

Region 2

Jesuit (22-6) at Auburndale (21-8), 7

The Tigers rebounded from an overtime loss to Blake in the district final to get past King in last week’s quarterfinals. It was the second time this season Jesuit beat the Lions, both two-point victories. The Bloodhounds have won four straight games.

Region 3

Bradenton Southeast (18-5) at St. Petersburg (21-6), 7

This is a rematch from an epic district final. Down 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Green Devils rallied to force a tie at the end of regulation., then won in overtime. During St. Petersburg’s current six-game win streak, four of those victories were by single digits.

Class 4A

Region 3

Lakewood (15-11) at Gibbs (21-5), 7

The Gladiators are facing their biggest rival for the fourth time this season. Gibbs has won the previous three meetings, all by six points or less. Jacob Daniels scored a team-high 26 points and Bobby Carpenter added 12 in the Gladiators’ last win in the district final.

Fort Myers Gateway (18-6) at Central (22-6), 7

The Bears came together at the right time, winning both district games to take home the title, then beating Robinson by 35 points in the quarterfinals. The Eagles have won six straight games, the last five by 13 or more points.

Class 3A

Region 2

West Palm Beach King’s Academy (26-1) at Bell Creek Academy (24-4), 7

The Panthers’ first season in district play has been a successful one. Their current seven-game win streak includes a one-point win over Windermere Prep, a team Bell Creek Academy could face in the region final. To do that, the Panthers have get past the Lions, whose lone loss came last month against Palm Beach Lakes.

Region 3

Brooks DeBartolo (21-7) at Calvary Christian (22-5), 7

The Warriors won in the region quarterfinals in dramatic, and exhausting, fashion. They hit crucial free throws in the waning seconds to force a tie at the end of regulation, then outlasted Northside Christian in double overtime. Though the Phoenix lost to Calvary Christian by 12 points in December, they are capable of an upset. Brooks DeBartolo beat Bell Creek Academy earlier this season and knocked off Berkeley Prep in the quarterfinals.

Fort Myers Gateway Charter (23-5) at Tampa Catholic (17-10), 7

Since a loss to Winter Haven in the regular season finale, the Crusaders have put together three solid victories. Now, Tampa Catholic is two wins away from reaching the state semifinals for the second straight season. Last week, the Griffins erased a 15-point halftime deficit to beat Naples First Baptist in overtime in the quarterfinals.

Class 2A

Region 3

Lakeside Christian (16-11) at Tampa SLAM (18-10), 7

The Spartans, winners of 10 straight games, already got off to a strong start in their postseason debut. Nine players scored at least four points in a quarterfinal win over Foundation Christian. After going through a 4-7 stretch, the Lions turned things around by beating Naples St. John Neumann in the quarterfinals.

Bradenton Saint Stephen’s (21-7) at Canterbury (18-10), 7

The Crusaders put together their tough schedule for moments like this. They host the Falcons, which is a big advantage considering Saint Stephen’s was undefeated at home (10-0).