Capsule look at girls basketball district playoffs

Sunday, January 27, 2013
by Matt Porter

GIRLS BASKETBALL DISTRICT CAPSULES

The road to Lakeland starts Monday as district tournaments tip off all throughout the state. Here's a breakdown of the playoff picture in Palm Beach County:

DISTRICT 10-8A (at Boca Raton)

Favorite: Boca Raton

Contender: Park Vista

Breakdown: Boca (16-8) has a strong presence inside in 6-foot-2 senior Lauren Janka and smart guards in Abby Bukovich and Gabby Daniels. Park Vista (15-9) has rugged forwards Caitlin Hayes and Emily Lochten and will play Boca tough, but the Bobcats won both meetings in close fashion. Don't sleep on Ridge (14-10) as a No. 5 seed.

Tuesday

John I. Leonard (4) vs. Seminole Ridge (5), 7 p.m.

Wednesday

Park Vista (2) vs. Spanish River (3), 6 p.m.

Boca Raton (1) vs. John I. Leonard/Seminole Ridge winner, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 9-8A

Favorite: Dwyer

Contender: Palm Beach Central

Dark horses: Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens

Breakdown: It's Dwyer's district to lose. The Panthers (18-4) have been No. 1 in the Post's rankings from wire-to-wire and haven't lost in the county. Too much size, skill and depth. Central (16-7) upset Dwyer in last year's regional semifinals, making it all the way to Lakeland. But the Broncos lost two big forwards from that state semifinalist team and while still talented, they've been inconsistent. Jupiter and Gardens are two defensively responsible teams that can be trouble if they're shooting well. Wellington had a two-point loss to ninth-ranked Park Vista last week.

Tuesday

Wellington (5) at Jupiter (4), 7 p.m.

Thursday (at Wellington)

Palm Beach Central (2) vs. Palm Beach Gardens (3), 6 p.m.

Dwyer (1) vs. Jupiter/Wellington winner, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 14-7A (at West Boca Raton)

Favorite: Lake Worth

Contender: Atlantic

Breakdown: Lake Worth (20-3) has lost to Dwyer (expected), Pahokee (surprising, but Pahokee is tough) and Martin County (while missing two starters). While the Trojans' depth is a concern, they should reach the final. Atlantic has two fine scoring options and gave Lake Worth a game last week, but the Trojans will be difficult to beat.

Wednesday

Lake Worth (1) vs. Olympic Heights (4), 5 p.m.

Atlantic (2) vs. West Boca Raton (3), 7 p.m.

Friday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 13-7A (at Forest Hill)

Favorite: Palm Beach Lakes

Contenders: Royal Palm Beach, Santaluces

Breakdown: Despite a few hiccups, Lakes (15-7) earned the No. 9 spot in the statewide Class 7A poll and has a decisive edge here. Royal Palm is expected to beat Santaluces (6-11), which has rebounded after allowing 70-plus points in three of its first four games, all losses.

Thursday

Royal Palm Beach (2) vs. Santaluces (3), 6 p.m.

Palm Beach Lakes (1) vs. Forest Hill (4), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 15-5A (at Boynton Beach)

Favorite: Boynton Beach

Contenders: Jensen Beach, Suncoast

Breakdown: Third-ranked Boynton (19-5) should cruise here, but the race for second is interesting. Suncoast (13-11) has plenty of offense but will not take Jensen (16-8) lightly -- their Jan. 15 meeting was a double-OT, 67-65 win for the Falcons.

Thursday

Boynton Beach (1) vs. Fort Pierce Westwood (4), 5:30 p.m.

Jensen Beach (2) vs. Suncoast (3), 7 p.m.

Saturday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 12-4A (at Cardinal Newman)

Favorite: Lincoln Park Academy

Contenders: St. Andrew's, Cardinal Newman

Breakdown: No one in this group can stop Lincoln Park (18-4) and Auburn-bound senior Brandy Montgomery. St. Andrew's (14-4) has a much better record than Cardinal Newman (12-10), but their semifinal should be a toss-up.

Monday

Glades Central (4) vs. Inlet Grove (5), 7 p.m.

Tuesday

St. Andrew's (2) vs. Cardinal Newman (3), 6 p.m.

Lincoln Park Academy (1) vs. Inlet Grove/Glades Central winner, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 13-3A (at American Heritage)

Favorite: Trinity Christian

Contenders: Yeshiva, Village Academy

Breakdown: Trinity (12-6) is a step down from the state-title contender it has been in recent years but is still by far the class of this bracket.

Tuesday

Village Academy (3) vs. Pope John Paul II (6), 6 p.m.

Summit Christian (4) vs. American Heritage (5), 7:30 p.m.

Thursday

Yeshiva (2) vs. Village Academy/Pope John Paul II winner, 6 p.m.

Trinity Christian (1) vs. Summit Christian/American Heritage winner, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 12-3A

Favorite: Benjamin

Contender: Pahokee, King's Academy

Breakdown: Eighth-ranked Benjamin (18-6) has the top seed, but Pahokee (17-4) might have more momentum after last week's upset of second-ranked Lake Worth. King's (14-9) is another strong, balanced team with potential to win the title. Pahokee defeated King's 59-57 in overtime two weeks ago.

Tuesday

Jupiter Christian (5) at Berean Christian (4), 7 p.m.

Thursday (at King's Academy)

Benjamin (1) vs. Berean Christian/Jupiter Christian winner, 5 p.m.

Pahokee (2) vs. King's Academy (3), 7 p.m.

Saturday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.

DISTRICT 12-2A

Favorite: Grandview Prep

Contender: Lake Worth Christian, Boca Raton Christian

Breakdown: A cakewalk for Grandview (20-2), ranked No. 2 in Class 2A. Boca Christian (13-5) held one opponent, Davie-American Prep, to two points last week but won't do that against Lake Worth Christian (12-10).

Tuesday

Donna Klein (5) at Glades Day (4), 6 p.m.

Wellington Christian (7) at Lake Worth Christian (2), 6 p.m.

FAU (6) at Boca Raton Christian (3), 6:30 p.m.

Thursday (at Boca Raton Christian)

Grandview Prep (1) vs. Glades Day/Donna Klein winner, 5:30 p.m.

Lake Worth Christian/Wellington Christian winner vs. Boca Raton Christian/FAU winner, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Final: Teams TBD, 7 p.m.