FHSAA girls basketball 6A semifinals preview: Will St. Thomas Aquinas and Wekiva advance to championship game?

The Wekiva Mustangs are back in the Final Four for the fourth consecutive season.

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 6A semifinals:

Class 6A semifinal No. 1: Nease vs St. Thomas Aquinas - Thursday at 6 p.m.

The Nease Lady Panthers made a run to the state semifinals, despite having to go on the road for all three of their regional games. The key to their success has been Florida Southern signee Sydney Gomes who is averaging nearly 16 points per game this postseason.

The Lady Panthers are led by head coach Sherri Anthony who is in her 40th season with the program and has recorded over 650 wins in her tenure.

How did Nease get here? Defeated Ponte Vedra 48-47 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Navarre 52-48 in the regional semifinals and defeated St. Augustine 49-33 in the regional finals.

Players to watch for Nease: Senior guard Sydney Gomes (20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game), junior guard Camryn Robinson (14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game) and senior guard Allison Fifield (11.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game)

The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders are seeking their second consecutive trip to the state championship game (Defeated Wekiva in 2021). The Lady Raiders are led by fifth year head coach Oliver Berens and are looking to bring home the school’s second state championship.

The Lady Raiders come into Lakeland riding an eight-game winning streak that dates to January 25 (Lost 58-55 to Miami Country Day).

How did St. Thomas Aquinas get here? Defeated North Miami 70-25 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Blanche Ely 57-53 in the regional semifinals and defeated Seminole Ridge 79-25 in the regional finals.

Players to watch for St. Thomas Aquinas: Junior guard Karina Gordon (13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game), junior forward Alancia Ramsey (12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game) and senior guard Breanna Gustave (9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game)

Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas

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Class 6A semifinal No. 2: Bloomingdale vs Wekiva - Thursday at 8 p.m.

The Bloomingdale Lady Bulls are in the Final Four for the first time in their program history. The Lady Bulls are currently on a five-game winning streak as well.

The Lady Bulls are led by 11th year head coach Joel Bower.

How did Bloomingdale get here? Defeated Lennard 43-33 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Braden River 60-37 in the regional semifinals and defeated Land O’Lakes 45-37 in the regional final. The Lady Bulls defense has been the key to their success throughout the postseason, including their district tournament run.

Players to watch for Bloomingdale: Senior guard Jolene Raposo (10.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 4.2 steals per game), junior guard Aissatou Diallo (8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game) and junior guard Ava Knauer (7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game).

The Wekiva Mustangs are back in the Final Four for the fourth consecutive season.

The Lady Mustangs are led by 10th year head coach Tommie Butts, who has recorded 20+ wins in 9 of his 10 seasons at the helm.

How did Wekiva get here? Defeated Lake Howell 46-18 in the regional quarterfinals, defeated Winter Haven 60-43 in the regional semifinals and defeated St. Cloud 52-32 in the regional finals.

Players to watch for Wekiva: Sophomore guard Jada Eads (17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game), senior guard Shaniyah McCarthy (9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game) and senior forward Rylan Moffitt (9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game)

Prediction: Wekiva