Preview: Boys Regional High School Basketball Playoffs

Regional quarterfinal action in the area tonight:

Jacksonville Ed White (14-11) at No.7 Gainesville (23-4) in the quarterfinals of Region 1-6A. The first meeting between the two teams since 2011. The Commanders from Jacksonville Ed White have won the last three over the Hurricanes. GHS defeated Ocala Vanguard 52-49 in the 6A District 4 Championship last week. The Commanders were defeated by St. Augustine. Gainesville would host Ocala Vanguard or travel to St. Augustine on Tuesday in the regional semifinals. Ed White would have to travel to either school.

Palatka (14-12) at Santa Fe (13-13) in the quarterfinals of Region 2-5A. Santa Fe won the last meeting between the schools in 2011, and will be in their fifth regional quarterfinal in the last nine years under coach Elliott Harris. Palatka is in their fourth straight regional quarterfinals. The visiting Panthers would travel to either Eastside or Ponte Vedra in the regional semifinals on Tuesday. The Raiders would host Eastside and travel to Ponte Vedra.

Speaking of, Eastside (9-10) at Ponte Vedra (17-10) in the quarterfinals of Region 2-5A. Eastside is playing in their 5th straight playoff under coach Pop Williams, having advanced to at least the regional semifinals in the last four years. Ponte Vedra is looking for their first win since 2012, but in their fourth playoff in five years. Eastside would host Palatka or travel to Santa Fe in the regional semis, while Ponte Vedra would host either Palatka or Santa Fe.

Melbourne Florida Prep (12-8) at No. 7 P.K. Yonge (22-4) in the quarterfinals of Region 1-3A. The P.K. Yonge Blue Wave are looking for their first state title since 1991, and have not advanced past the regional semifinals in the last eight years. Melbourne Florida Prep have been in the state playoffs 21 straight seasons, winning five state titles, but none since 2007. P.K. Yonge would host Orlando First Academy or St. Francis in the regional semis on Tuesday, Florida Prep would host St. Francis or travel to First Academy.

St. Francis (21-5) at No. 2 Orlando First Academy (22-5) in the quarterfinals of Region 1-3A. St. Francis is in their third playoff in four years, but are looking for their first postseason win since 2013. The host Royals are in their 17th playoff in the last 24 years. They are 7-0 at home. St. Francis would travel to P.K. Yonge or Florida Prep in Tuesday’s regional semifinals, First Academy would host Florida Prep or travel to P.K. Yonge.

Regional semifinal action in the area tonight:

No. 8 Madison County (19-8) at No. 2 Hawthorne (21-5) in the semifinals of Region 3-1A. Madison County is in their third straight playoff and are 0-6 in the postseason. The host Hornets are in their sixth straight playoff, looking to make their 4th state tournament in the last 5 years. Head coach Greg Bowie says Madison County is a talented team.  Madison County would travel to either Newberry or Hamilton County. If Hawthorne gets the W, they would host Newberry or travel to Hamilton County in Tuesday’s regional finals. Bowie mentioned the one negative of his team was height.

Newberry (16-11) at No. 6 Hamilton County (19-5) in the semifinals of Region 3-1A. Newberry is looking for their first postseason win since 2004. The host Trojans are in their fifth straight playoff, with previous losses to Hawthorne in 2013 and 2015. Newberry would host Madison County or travel to Hawthorne in the regional finals on Tuesday, Hamilton County would host either school.

All games are at 7:00 p.m. $7 admission.