Boys Basketball State Semifinals

All games at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.  Admission is $15 on the day of the event. Parking is $10.

Class 3A

Berkeley Prep (23-6) vs. Miami Riviera Prep (23-8), 3 today

How they got here: Berkeley Prep d. Calvary Christian 65-42, d. Naples First Baptist Academy 46-36, d. Fort Myers Gateway Charter 51-48. Riviera Prep d. Florida Christian 76-64, d. Hialeah Educational Academy 67-53, d. Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 75-60.

Stat Leaders

Category	Berkeley Prep	Riviera Prep
Points per game	Matt Able IV, 20.7	Dante Allen, 21.0
Rebounds per game	Donnie Morris, 8.4	Gustavo Guimares Alves, 10.6
Assists per game	Evan Hellman, 3.5	Mason Fuentes, 6.5
Steals per game	Matt Able IV, 2.7	Dante Allen, 3.4
Blocks per game	Matt Able IV, 0.7	Gustavo Guimares Alves, 1.8

Outlook

Buccaneers coach Renaldo Garcia knows how to lead a team to a state title. In 2017, he guided Sickles to its only title — the first for a Hillsborough County public school since 1982. That also was the last championship for a Tampa Bay area boys program. The offseason after winning that elusive title, Garcia left to become the coach at Berkeley Prep, ending his 17year tenure with the Gryphons. After years of coming close, Garcia has finally led the Buccaneers to their first final four appearance since taking over the program. To advance, Berkeley Prep has to get past defending state champion Riviera Prep. Last year, the Bulldogs held on beat Tampa Catholic by a point (68-67) in the semifinals enroute to the title.

Player spotlight

Matt Able IV, Jr., Berkeley Prep

The 6-foot-4 guard, who transferred from Parrish Community, this offseason, has provided plenty of production for the Buccaneers. He leads the team in scoring (20.7 points per game) and steals (2.7) and has been the catalyst for Berkeley Prep’s run to the state semifinals.