Matchups, schedules and predictions for SWFL boys and girls basketball district tournaments

The FHSAA released the final boys and girls basketball rankings of the season locking in the seeds for the upcoming district tournaments.

Districts will kick off Feb. 5 for the girls and Feb. 6 for the boys, the first step on the path to the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, the site of the 2024 state championships.

We analyzed each of Southwest Florida's nine districts and predicted which teams should end up lifting hardware.

BOYS BASKETBALL

District 7A-12

1. Sarasota

2. Sarasota Riverview

3. North Port

4. Lehigh

5. Venice

Analysis: The Lightning have put together a quality season in their second year under BJ Edwards with a 15-8 record. Last year, as underdogs, they upset Gulf Coast before falling to Sarasota 55-49. With the capabilities of guards Kionus Walters and Angel Pagan Jr., Lehigh could make some noise again, though another matchup against Sarasota would be tough as the Sailors are much improved at 19-2 and ranked top 20 in the state.

Our pick: Sarasota

Previous: Here are The News-Press and Naples Daily News boys basketball players to watch in 2023-24

District 6A-12

1. Palmetto Ridge

2. Gulf Coast

3. Riverdale

4. Immokalee

5. East Lee County

6. South Fort Myers

Analysis: In all likelihood, this will come down to Palmetto Ridge and Gulf Coast. That would be a rematch of the Jan. 19 battle won by the Bears 55-53. Calven Charles is averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks for Palmetto Ridge and will be one of the keys to their success. Riverdale is a possible disruptor with a nice run of form lately, and Immokalee hung tough with Gulf Coast earlier this year.

Our pick: Palmetto Ridge

District 6A-11

1. Charlotte

2. Fort Myers

3. Cape Coral

4. North Fort Myers

5. Ida Baker

Analysis: The Tarpons have played a tough schedule – will it pay off in the postseason? Fort Myers and Cape Coral will be their main challengers. The Seahawks in particular have had a good month, going 7-1 in January. Austin Arringdale-Klein is averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds for the team. Fort Myers lost to Charlotte by 19 points earlier this month and has hit a bit of a skid, although they did post a quality win against Gulf Coast.

Our pick: Charlotte

District 5A-12

1. Barron Collier

2. Naples

3. Golden Gate

4. Lely

5. Bonita Springs

Analysis: The Cougars are looking to make it a three-peat as district champs, and they have a good chance. Though it’s a younger group from a year ago, Spencer Clayton and Gabe Markhart have held down the fort admirably. Naples, and the electric Jaden Wolner, have given Barron Collier some fun battles in recent years. Don’t overlook Golden Gate’s potential to play spoiler, especially if Sam Powell (18 points, 5 rebounds) takes over.

Our pick: Barron Collier

District 5A-11

1. Mariner

2. Port Charlotte

3. Cypress Lake

4. Island Coast

5. Dunbar

Analysis: This district has often come down the Tritons and the Pirates. This year, it looks like Mariner is peaking at the right time with a very experienced starting lineup, plus the addition of guard Corey Hunter. Marcus Kelley Jr. (17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals) is wildly productive on both ends of the court for the Tritons. They won’t overlook Port Charlotte, who beat them 64-61 earlier this month. Cypress Lake has shown promise during the season, but January has been tough for them, but they did impressively take First Baptist to overtime last week.

Our pick: Mariner

District 4A-12

1. Gateway

2. Estero

3. Lemon Bay

4. LaBelle

5. Aubrey Rogers

6. Clewiston

Analysis: The Eagles have an opportunity to go 3-for-3 as district champs in their first three seasons as a program. Senior guard Tavian Cook is having another stellar season, averaging 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals a game. Despite the team's recent letdown against Mariner, it’s hard to see one of these teams taking them out. However, Estero made Gateway battle hard for the district title last year, and Brady Knutson (24 points, 6 rebounds) is showing out in his senior year.

Our pick: Gateway

District 3A-12

1. Gateway Charter

2. First Baptist

3. Bishop Verot

4. Community School

5. Oasis

6. Canterbury

Analysis: Many of Southwest Florida’s top squads occupy this district. It was the Griffins that came out on top last year, earning their first district title in program history. The team is well positioned to repeat with 6-foot-8 Pat Johnson putting together a monster season, averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds. Without him available, the Lions were able to beat Gateway Charter 72-56 last week. The FBA defense, led by Adrian Rodriguez and Jayden Petit, has limited opponents to less than 40 points a game this year. Bishop Verot is a team to look out for with Gavin Williams, Leroy Roker and Jerry Ashley on the floor, but they will need to improve on their Private 8 tournament showing where struggled against First Baptist.

Our pick: Gateway Charter

District 2A-12

1. Donahue Catholic

2. St. John Neumann

3. Village School

4. Seacrest Country Day

Analysis: The Shamrocks have been the surprise of Southwest Florida this season, going 15-3 behind stellar play from Erling Berg, Isaac Loboda, and freshman John McCabe. To earn the title, they will likely have to go through Neumann, a team responsible for one of their few losses this season. The Celtics won that early season game 54-48 and have played the tougher schedule this season.

Our pick: St. John Neumann

District 2A-11

1. Sarasota Christian

2. Evangelical Christian

3. Southwest Florida Christian

4. Classical Academy of Sarasota

5. St. Stephen’s

6. Gulf Coast HEAT

Analysis: The Sentinels might not be the top seed, but they have plenty of reasons to be confident going into the district tournament. The team is 5-0 against district opponents, including Sarasota Christian after defeating them 61-58 in December. The ECS roster has several different players that can lead them in scoring on any given night. Lately, it’s been freshman guard Quez Outten making big plays for the team. If it’s a rematch against Sarasota Christian, the Sentinels will be looking out for Josh Frazzini, who scored 31 points against them last time.

Our pick: ECS

GIRLS BASKETBALL

District 7A-12

1. Sarasota Riverview

2. Sarasota

3. Venice

4. Lehigh

5. North Port

Analysis: The Lightning have had a great season but they are in a loaded district with Sarasota heavy hitters. It's so loaded Riverview, Sarasota, and Venice are ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively, in the region. Lehigh sits 10th in the region so the Lightning will need a big upset or two to see their season extend beyond district play.

Our Pick: Riverview

Previous: The SWFL girls basketball players to watch as chosen by The News-Press/Naples Daily News

District 6A-11

1. Charlotte

2. Ida Baker

3. North Fort Myers

4. Cape Coral

5. Fort Myers

Analysis: Charlotte is ranked sixth in the class and second in the region so the Tarpons should cruise to the title. The real question is if Ida Baker can sneak into the regional playoffs. They are sitting a nine just behind Palmetto. The Bulldogs can't falter if they have any hope of extending their season.

Our Pick: Charlotte

District 6A-12

1. Gulf Coast

2. Palmetto Ridge

3. East Lee

4. South Fort Myers

5. Riverdale

6. Immokalee

Analysis: The Sharks have not lost to a Collier County opponent since 2016, although they had to eke out two- and four-point wins over non-district foes Aubrey Rogers and Barron Collier this year, and the Lee County opponents in their district should not pose a danger. Gulf Coast will be the only team out of this district to play in the regional playoffs unless there is a monster upset in the district final.

Our Pick: Gulf Coast

District 5A-11

1. Port Charlotte

2. Cypress Lake

3. Mariner

4. Island Coast

5. Dunbar

Analysis: The Pirates have not faced any of their district opponents this season but have battled with some of the tougher teams in Charlotte, Sarasota, and Manatee counties. Port Charlotte made it to a regional final last year and is looking for more of the same, if not better, this season. Cypress Lake has more wins this season (14) than the last 5 combined (13) and should be safe to make the regional playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Our Pick: Port Charlotte

District 5A-12

1. Lely

2. Barron Collier

3. Naples

4. Golden Gate

5. Bonita Springs

Analysis: Barron Collier coach Mike Hamburg wins district titles. The Cougars' head coach won his 500th game earlier this season and will be going for district crown No. 20. They are the team to beat until someone beats them. Could that team be Lely? The Trojans beat the Cougars by six and lost by five in their two meetings earlier this season. Lely has not lost in 2024, having won all eight games in the new year, and jumped Barron Collier as the district's top seed. Naples did beat Lely by a point in November but that feels like ancient history. The Golden Eagles are on the bubble for the region's final playoff spot, sitting in seventh, so a big win along the way would help as Sebring and St. Petersburg lurk right behind.

Our Pick: Barron Collier

District 4A-12

1. Gateway

2. Aubrey Rogers

3. Lemon Bay

4. LaBelle

5. Clewiston

6. Estero

Analysis: Gateway was poised to have a big season and the Eagles have delivered behind their Big 3 of juniors Thatiyana Holiday, V'Davrielle Johnson, and Kenyah Moss. The Eagles have not faced Aubrey Rogers or Lemon Bay so time will tell how they match up. First-year program Aubrey Rogers was a lot of people's surprise pick for this season and the Patriots have responded with 15 wins but have two losses in the last week to Lemon Bay. Could the Manta Rays ruin the Eagles' party? Lemon Bay looks pretty secure as the region's eighth seed so all three teams should advance out of district play.

Our Pick: Gateway

District 3A-12

1. Bishop Verot

2. Canterbury

3. FBA

4. Gateway Charter

5. CSN

6. Oasis

Analysis: The Vikings have put together a second straight strong season and will look to repeat as district champs but that is no sure thing. Canterbury beat Verot in their earlier matchup but the Vikings are tuning up for the postseason with three tough games to end the season, starting with a win over Barron Collier Monday, then St. John Neumann Thursday, and Lehigh Friday. Canterbury is also pushing itself, dropping a close game to Seacrest on Friday and ending with upstart Lely on Friday. First Baptist lost to Canterbury in OT on Jan. 19 but has two good wins against Barron Collier and Palmetto Ridge to leapfrog Gateway Charter in the rankings. Verot has downed Gateway Charter twice by double digits this season and the Griffins have not played the Cougars. Gateway Charter is on a seven-game losing streak after Monday night's loss at LaBelle.

Our Pick: Bishop Verot

District 2A-11

1. ECS

2. Gulf Coast HEAT

3. Sarasota Christian

4. SFCA

Analysis: ECS would have to have its worst day at the office not to win a district title. The No. 3 team in Class 2A and 26th overall in the state is looking to take its next step with what they hope is a date in Lakeland.

Our Pick: ECS

District 2A-12

1. St. John Neumann

2. Seacrest

3. Donahue

Analysis: A district title is a step in Neumann's goal of making a state championship game. It would also help set up a rematch with ECS in the Region 2A-3 Final. The Sentinels (ranked No. 3 in the class) beat the Celtics (No. 4 in the class) in the Private 8 title game and is realistically the biggest hurdle to a Final Four berth. But Seacrest is no slouch as the Stingrays are the No. 6 ranked team in Class 2A and only lost to Neumann by two points in a game early in the season.

Our Pick: Neumann

Daily Schedule

Monday

Class 3A-District 12 (G)

(5) CSN at (4) Gateway Charter

(6) Oasis at (3) FBA

Class 4A-District 12 (G)

(5) Clewiston at (4) LaBelle

(6) Estero at (3) Lemon Bay, 7 p.m.

Class 5A-District 11 (G)

(5) Dunbar at (4) Island Coast

Class 5A-District 12 (G)

(5) Bonita Springs at (4) Golden Gate

Class 6A-District 11 (G)

(5) Fort Myers at (4) Cape Coral

Class 6A-District 12 (G)

(4) South Fort Myers at (5) Immokalee, 7 p.m.

(6) Riverdale at (3) East Lee County

Class 7A-District 12 (G)

(5) North Port at (4) Lehigh

Tuesday

Class 2A-District 11 (B)

(5) St. Stephen’s at (4) Classical Academy, 7 p.m.

(6) Gulf Coast HEAT at (3) SFCA

Class 2A-District 11 (G)

(4) SFCA at (1) ECS, 4 p.m

(3) Sarasota Christian at (2) Gulf Coast HEAT

Class 3A-District 12 (B)

(5) Oasis at (4) CSN 6 p.m.

(6) Canterbury at (3) Bishop Verot

Class 4A-District 12 (B)

(5) Aubrey Rogers at (4) LaBelle, 7 p.m.

(6) Clewiston at (3) Lemon Bay

Class 5A-District 11 (B)

(5) Dunbar at (4) Island Coast 6:30 p.m.

Class 5A-District 12 (B)

(5) Bonita Springs at (4) Lely

Class 6A-District 11 (B)

(5) Ida Baker at (4) North Fort Myers, 7 p.m.

Class 6A-District 12 (B)

(5) East Lee at (4) Immokalee

Class 7A-District 12 (B)

(5) Venice at (4) Lehigh

Wednesday

Class 3A-District 12 (G)

(5) CSN/(4) GWC at (1) Bishop Verot

(6) Oasis/(3) FBA at (2) Canterbury

Class 4A-District 12 (G)

(5) Clewiston/(4) LaBelle at (1) Gateway

(6) Estero/(3) Lemon Bay at (2) Aubrey Rogers

Class 5A-District 11 (G)

(3) Mariner at (2) Cypress Lake, 7 p.m.

(5) Dunbar/(4) Island Coast at (1) Port Charlotte

Class 5A-District 12 (G)

(3) Naples at (2) Barron Collier, 6 p.m.

(5) Bonita Springs/(4)Golden Gate at (1) Lely

Class 6A-District 11 (G)

(3) North Fort Myers at (2) Ida Baker

(5) Fort Myers/(4) Cape Coral at (1) Charlotte

Class 6A-District 12 (G)

(5) Immokalee/(4) South Fort Myers at (1) Gulf Coast

(6) Riverdale/(3) East Lee County at (2) Palmetto Ridge

Class 7A-District 12 (G)

(3) Venice at (2) Sarasota

(5) North Port/(4) Lehigh at (1) Riverview

Thursday

Class 2A-District 11 (B)

(5) St. Stephen’s/(4) Classical Academy at (1) Sarasota Christian

(6) Gulf Coast HEAT/(3)SFCA at (2) ECS, 6 p.m.

Class 2A-District 12 (B)

(4) Seacrest at (1) Donahue Catholic

(3) Village School of Naples at (2) SJN

Class 3A-District 12 (B)

(4) Oasis/(5) CSN at (1) Gateway Charter

(6) Canterbury/(3) Bishop Verot at (2) FBA

Class 4A-District 12 (B)

(5) Aubrey Rogers)/(4) LaBelle at (1) Gateway

(6) Clewiston/(3) Lemon Bay at (2) Estero

Class 5A-District 11 (B)

(5) Dunbar/(4) Island Coast at (1) Mariner

(3) Cypress Lake at (2) Port Charlotte

Class 5A-District 12 (B)

(3) Golden Gate at (2) Naples, 7 p.m.

(5) Bonita Springs/(4) Lely at (1) Barron Collier, 7 p.m.

Class 6A-District 11 (B)

(3) Cape Coral at (2) Fort Myers

(5) Ida Baker/(4) North Fort Myers at (1) Charlotte

Class 6A-District 12 (B)

(5) East Lee/(4) Immokalee at (1) Palmetto Ridge

(3) Riverdale at (2) Gulf Coast

Class 7A-District 12

(3) North Port at (2) Riverview

(5) Venice/(4)Lehigh at (1) Sarasota

Friday

Class 2A-District 11 Championship (G)

Class 3A-District 12 Championship (G)

Class 4A-District 12 Championship (G)

Class 5A-District 11 Championship (G)

Class 5A-District 12 Championship (G)

Class 6A-District 11 Championship (G)

Class 6A-District 12 Championship (G)

Class 7A-District 12 Championship (G)

Saturday

Class 2A-District 11 Championship (B)

Class 2A-District 12 Championship (B)

Class 3A-District 12 Championship (B)

Class 4A-District 12 Championship (B)

Class 5A-District 11 Championship (B)

Class 5A-District 12 Championship (B)

Class 6A-District 11 Championship (B)

Class 6A-District 12 Championship (B)

Class 7A-District 12 Championship (B)

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Boys and girls district basketball tournament analysis for Cape Coral, Naples, Fort Myers