FHSAA girls basketball 4A semifinals preview: Will Lake Highland Prep and Bishop Kenny advance to championship game?

The Lake Highland Prep Highlanders seem to be in the Final Four on a yearly basis - this marks their fifth consecutive trip to Lakeland.

We have reached the Final Four across all seven classifications in the 2022 Florida high school athletic association (FHSAA) girls’ basketball playoffs.

Starting Wednesday and continuing through Saturday, 21 games will take place at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland (Home of the NBA G-League’s Lakeland Magic). SBLive is previewing all seven semifinals matchups.

Here’s a look at the Class 4A semifinals:

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Class 4A semifinal No. 1: Booker (Sarasota) vs Lake Highland Prep- Thursday at 10 a.m.

The Booker (Sarasota) Tornadoes are in the Final Four for the first time since 1999, are led by 2nd year head coach Ty Bryant. The Tornadoes come into Lakeland on a six-game winning streak that dates to January 25.

How did Booker get here? Defeated Gibbs 57-51 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Lakewood (St. Petersburg) 53-49 in the regional semifinals and defeated Port Charlotte 74-50 in the regional finals.

Players to watch for Booker: Junior guard Chariot Johnson (9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game), junior forward Leah DuBose (8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game) and sophomore guard Jakai Peterson (Leading the team in steals per game, 3.3)

The Lake Highland Prep Highlanders seem to be in the Final Four on a yearly basis - this marks their fifth consecutive trip to Lakeland. The Highlanders are led by 11th year head coach Al Honor who has won three state championships in his tenure.

How did Lake Highland Prep get here? Defeated The Villages Charter 91-35 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Cocoa 68-35 in the regional semifinals and defeated Palm Bay 56-51 in the regional finals.

Players to watch for Lake Highland Prep: Sophomore guard Lexi Blue (Averaging 11 points and 4 rebounds per game), junior guard Eleecia Carter (Averaging 11.8 points and 3.3 assists per game) and senior forward Nyla Harris (Averaging 17.3 points and 11 rebounds per game).

Prediction: Lake Highland Prep

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Class 4A semifinal No. 2: Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale) vs Bishop Kenny- Thursday at noon

The Calvary Christian Academy Eagles are led by 7th year head coach George Adams and is making his 1st trip to the Final Four as a coach. The Eagles come into Lakeland on a 12-game winning streak that dates to December 29, 2021.

How did Calvary Christian Academy get here? Defeated Somerset Canyons Academy 74-20 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Cardinal Gibbons 64-22 in the regional semifinals and defeated Mater Lakes Academy 64-63 in the regional final.

Players to watch for Calvary Christian Academy: Senior guard Samiyah Briggs (16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game), Sophomore forward Jocelyn Gagnon (10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game) and senior guard Elizabeth Schnell (Averaging 16.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game)

The Bishop Kenny Crusaders are making their fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four, reaching the state title game in two of the previous three occasions. The Crusaders come into Lakeland on a 17-game winning streak that dates to December 21 where they lost to nationally ranked Trinity Collegiate (South Carolina).

How did Bishop Kenny get here? Defeated Keystone Heights 81-23 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated South Walton 70-33 in the regional semifinals and defeated Rutherford (Panama City) 62-50 in the regional final.

Players to watch for Bishop Kenny: Senior guard Maddie Millar (17.2 points per game), Sophomore forward Claire Coyle (9.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game), and sophomore guard Riley Talbert (8.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game)

Prediction: Bishop Kenny