Grandview Prep is the only Palm Beach County team headed to Lakeland this week.
Grandview Prep and Shawn Occeus will face Orland Christian Prep today in a Class 2A state semifinal in Lakeland. (Post file photo)
The top-ranked and unbeaten Pride defeated No. 3 Miami Christian 81-67 Saturday to earn a berth in the FHSAA boys basketball Class 2A state championships.
Grandview Prep (30-0) will play No. 9-ranked Orlando Christian Prep at 4 p.m. today at the Lakeland Center. The Warriors (19-11) beat Lake Wales-Vanguard 58-50 in their regional championship game Saturday night.
The winner of today’s semifinal will advance to Wednesday’s state title game.
Here’s our preview:
Grandview Prep (30-0) vs. Orlando Christian Prep (19-11): The Pride rolled through the playoffs the way they rolled through the regular season, averaging nearly 90 points per game in three regional contests. Grandview Prep, ranked No. 1 in the state, made it out of a brutal region to advance to the state tournament, defeating the state’s No. 2 and No. 3-ranked teams (Deerfield Beach-Zion Lutheran and Miami Christian). This afternoon, the Pride will face the No. 9-ranked Warriors, whose road to Lakeland was more of a challenge. Orlando Christian Prep, led by sophomore point guard Damon Harge, won its first two regional games by identical 67-62 scores, and then beat Lake Wales-Vanguard 58-50 Saturday to earn a berth in today’s state semifinals. Orlando Christian Prep has had plenty of state tournament success in recent years, winning titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014, and finishing as runner-up – to Grandview Prep – in 2013. The Warriors also hold a 4-1 record against the Pride in state tournament play. But coach Joe Dawson will have his veteran team well-prepared. I like Grandview Prep to move on.
Prediction: Grandview Prep 79-70
