Boys basketball: Tonight’s area region finals breakdown — Feb. 24

Here are the capsules for tonight’s area matchups in the region finals. The winners advance to next week’s state semifinals at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center. 

Class 7A

Region 3

Newsome (26-3) at Winter Haven (25-4), 7

The Wolves, who are having one their best seasons in school history, have to go on the road for the first time in the playoffs after getting past Sumner (67-65) and Alonso (63-36) at home in the first two rounds of the playoffs. 

Now, comes the biggest challenge yet. 

The Blue Devils, the top seed in the region, are ranked No. 1 in the class and No. 3 overall in the state by MaxPreps. They have won 10 straight games, including victories over Tampa Catholic, Plant City and Plant, and are undefeated at home (7-0). 

Class 6A

Region 3

Punta Gorda Charlotte (16-13) at Wharton (23-6), 7

The Wildcats are one game away from returning to the state semifinals. 

Under first-year coach Shawn Vanzant, Wharton came together at the right time with double-digit wins over Immokalee (60-50) in the quarterfinals and Naples Palmetto Ridge (61-45) in the semifinals. 

Having an experienced lineup, led by seniors Karmello Branch and Chandler Davis, has played a big role in the Wildcats’ playoff run. 

Wharton also has the benefit of playing at home, where it is 10-0 this season. 

After starting the season 5-10, the Tarpons have turned things around, winning 11 of their last 14 games, including five straight – all by double digits. 

Class 5A

Region 2

Jesuit at Orlando Jones, 7

The Tigers have a knack for winning playoff games on the road. 

In the last three seasons, Jesuit has five postseason victories away from home. The latest came earlier this week when the Tigers got past Auburndale 42-41 in the semifinals. 

What makes the feat more impressive is that Jesuit does not have much experience playing on the road, at least this season. After all, 20 of the Tigers games were at home games this season.

Tonight, Jesuit tries to keep that success going by traveling to Orlando to face Jones, the top seed in the region.

The Fightin’ Tigers are 4-5 at home this season.   

Region 3

St. Petersburg (22-6) at Naples Barron Collier (23-5), 7

For the second time in the past three weeks, the Green Devils beat Bradenton Southeast. 

After rallying from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to win in overtime in the district final, St. Petersburg did not need such dramatics in the region semifinals, cruising to a 73-60 victory over the Seminoles. 

Now, the defending state finalist Green Devils are one game away from getting back to Lakeland’s RP Funding Center. 

It will not be easy. 

St. Petersburg travels to take on the Cougars, who have the top seed in the region. Barron Collier has won five straight and is undefeated at home (15-0). 

Class 4A

Region 3

Fort Myers Gateway (19-6) at Gibbs (22-5), 7

For the fourth time this season, the Gladiators knocked off neighboring rival Lakewood. 

The latest victory in the series came in the region semifinals to extend Gibbs’ current win streak to 10. 

Defense always is the Gladiators’ strength and it keeps getting better. In the last four games, Gibbs has held opponents to less than 50 points. 

That unrelenting pressure could help the Gladiators make their second straight state semifinal appearance. 

The Eagles enter on a seven-game win streak. The last one was their closest, a 68-65 victory over Central in the region semifinals. 

Class 3A

Region 3

Brooks DeBartolo (22-7) at Tampa Catholic (18-10), 7

This is a rematch from a district semifinal game the Crusaders won 81-74. 

Tampa Catholic, which is trying to reach the state semifinals for the second straight season, is playing its best basketball at the right time. 

Since losing to rival Berkeley Prep last month, the Crusaders have won seven of their last games. 

The Phoenix also have a ton of confidence, especially after beating Berkeley Prep (64-53) in the region quarterfinals and Calvary Christian (78-68) in overtime in the region semifinals. 

Class 2A

Region 3

Canterbury (19-10) at Tampa SLAM (19-10), 7

Both teams are attempting to make their first state semifinal appearance. 

The Crusaders have won four straight games, all by nine or more points.

The Spartans, meanwhile, have an 11-game win streak. Their last four victories have all been by 36 ore more points.