The girls basketball playoffs continue tonight with the region finals. Here are the capsules for the Tampa Bay area teams playing in each class. The winners advance to the state semifinals in Lakeland starting next week.
Class 6A
Region 3
No. 2 Punta Gorda Charlotte (17-5) at No. 1 Bloomingdale (28-0), 7
This is a rematch from last year’s region final that the Tarpons won 65-49. Since that loss, the Bulls have been perfect and have the advantage of hosting this time around. But keeping their unbeaten record intact will not be easy. Charlotte has won eight straight games — the last three each by 47 or more points.
Stat leaders (per game averages)
| Category | Charlotte | Bloomingdale |
| Points | Kamie Ellis, 16.1 | Noelle Mengel, 20.5 |
| Rebounds | Abigail Willis, 5.6 | Izellah Kendrick, 7.7 |
| Assists | Kamie Ellis, 2.1 | Tabitha Vega, 2.7 |
| Steals | Kamie Ellis, 2.7 | Noelle Mengel, 2.9 |
| Blocks | Abigail Willis, 0.7 | Izellah Kendrick, 1.4 |
Class 5A
Region 2
No. 2 Leesburg (24-1) at No. 1 River Ridge (24-5), 7
The Royal Knights are in the region final for the second straight season and are trying to reach the state semifinals for the first time. They have held opponents to 33 points or less in each of their last six victories. The Yellow Jackets’ lone loss came in December. They have since won 13 straight games, though they have not been tested as much as River Ridge.
Stat leaders (per game averages)
| Category | Leesburg | River Ridge |
| Points | Saige McCloud, 21.1 | Lauren Lee, 12.0 |
| Rebounds | Saige McCloud, 2.6 | Lauren Lee, 6.8 |
| Assists | Aniya Hester, 1.4 | JP Ferguson, 3.2 |
| Steals | Ariyana Hester, 2.4 | JP Ferguson, 3.2 |
| Blocks | Saige McCloud, 0.2 | Lauren Lee, 1.6 |
Class 4A
Region 3
No. 3 Sarasota Booker (15-9) at No. 1 Lakewood (21-4), 7
This is a rematch from a game the host Spartans won 64-61 last month. In that contest, Lakewood got off to fast start, jumping out to a 38-22 lead at the half before holding on to win. That was the start of Lakewood’s current 10-game win streak. The Tornadoes, who are making their third straight region final appearance, bounced back from that loss to win their last eight games.
Stat leaders (per game averages)
| Category | Booker | Lakewood |
| Points | Jakai Peterson, 15.1 | Alahni Lovett, 20.7 |
| Rebounds | Yvette Brown, 6.1 | Rianna Callihan, 7.4 |
| Assists | Yvette Brown, 2.7 | Sumayah McIntosh, 3.7 |
| Steals | Jakai Peterson, 3.5 | Sumayah McIntosh, 6.3 |
| Blocks | Jakai Peterson, 0.5 | Sumayah McIntosh, 2.3 |
Class 3A
Region 2
No. 2 West Palm Beach King’s Academy (19-9) at No. 1 Seffner Christian (23-4), 7
Once again, the Crusaders are hosting King’s Academy in the region final. This time, Seffner Christian is hoping for a different result after being upset a year ago. Since going 1-2 during a tough three game stretch last month, the Crusaders have won eight straight games. The Lions currently are on a five-game win streak.
Stat leaders (per game averages)
| Category | King’s Academy | Seffner Christian |
| Points | Allinah Sarratt, 11.2 | Nicole Carreno, 15.2 |
| Rebounds | Jadalynn Morel, 4.4 | Nicole Carreno, 6.2 |
| Assists | Kylie Green, 1.3 | Jade Thompson, 5.1 |
| Steals | Kylie Green, 1.6 | Nevaeh Lee, 4.4 |
| Blocks | Allison Lagrone, 0.3 | Nicole Carreno, 0.6 |
Region 3
No. 2 Tampa Catholic (21-6) at No. 1 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (21-6), 7
This is a rematch from last year’s region semifinal game that the Cougars won 60-42. The Crusaders have improved considerably since that loss and have plenty of momentum with an 11-game win streak entering tonight’s contest. Cardinal Mooney has had success against Tampa Bay area teams, beating region finalists Seffner Christian and Lakewood earlier this year.
Stat leaders (per game averages)
| Category | Tampa Catholic | Cardinal Mooney |
| Points | Ashley Knox, 15.9 | Kali Barrett, 14.4 |
| Rebounds | Ashley Knox, 6.3 | Madi Mignery, 10.3 |
| Assists | Khalia Woodley, 3.3 | Bri Behn, 3.7 |
| Steals | Akyla Lloyd, 2.0 | Sy’Monique Simon, 1.9 |
| Blocks | Ashley Knox, 0.6 | Madi Mignery, 0.8 |
Class 2A
Region 2
No. 2 North Tampa Christian (21-2) at No. 1 Central Florida Christian (22-4), 7
The Titans impressive playoff run during their first year as a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association hits a potential roadblock tonight with a trip to face top seed Central Florida Christian, winners of nine straight games.
Stat leaders (per game averages)
| Category | North Tampa Christian | Central Florida Christian |
| Points | Arianna Murray, 22.0 | Trinity Harden, 11.9 |
| Rebounds | Arianna Murray, 7.5 | Arriah Denmark, 7.3 |
| Assists | Aliyah Harris-Green, 5.7 | Arriah Denmark, 2.2 |
| Steals | Aliyah Harris-Green, 5.0 | Trinity Harden, 2.8 |
| Blocks | Cali Midyett, 1.3 | Arriah Denmark, 1.3 |
