Pasco Tribune boys basketball region semifinal preview

Tuesday at 7 p.m.

CLASS 6A-REGION 2

Land O' Lakes (22-6) at Winter Haven (19-7)

NEED TO KNOW: The Gators will face quite possibly the best team in central Florida in Winter Haven, who dismantled Mitchell 71-29 in Thursday's Class 6A-3 region quarterfinals matchup. Mitchell and Lakeland Lake Gibson are two common opponents between Land O' Lakes and Winter Haven with the Gators dominated the Braves 53-30 in the quarterfinals. But Land O' Lakes had its hands full in the Class 6A-District 10 championship against Mitchell, which the Gators narrowly won, 58-56. The Blue Devils had no trouble against the Mustangs and were able to hold Mitchell guard Jake Driscoll to a mere three points. Land O' Lakes will be heading into a hostile gymnasium and will have to play near perfect basketball if they're looking to advance to the region finals.

CLASS 5A-REGION 2

Hudson (19-10) at Brooksville Nature Coast (27-1)

NEED TO KNOW: The Cobras will face their stiffest test to date when they take on a 27-1 Sharks bunch that features 6-foot-9, 235-pound center Tyler Bergantino. The University of Massachusetts commit is averaging 16.9 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per game for Nature Coast and is the driving force behind the Sharks' success the past four years. But Bergantino is also surrounded by a superb cast, with point guard Blake Lowman (8.3 points per game) and Gulf transfer Rohan Blackwood (7.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game) playing big roles. Hudson was able to get by first round opponent Eustis on Thursday with stingy defense and quality shooting from the three-point line. Cobras coach Jason Vetter pointed out that Hudson was able to pull out the 52-44 win, despite point guard Jamal Branco having one of his worst games, ending the night with a mere six points. Branco, who is averaging 16 points per game and nearly six assists per game, will have to play one of the best games of his life if the Cobras look to move onto their first region final. Hudson's big men Andrew Disanto (7.8 rebounds per game) and 6-foot-3 Tyler Holton, will have difficult job of containing Bergantino down in the post area.

CLASS 2A-REGION 2

Winter Haven All Saints' Academy (11-5) at Academy at the Lakes (16-9)

NEED TO KNOW: Academy at the Lakes is buzzing with basketball fever, as both the boys and girls squads are flourishing in postseason. The Wildcats' boys, under the direction of coach Tom Haslam, were able to reach the second round of the Class 2A playoffs after arriving to Lake Wales only 22 minutes before tip-off because of traffic problems and dressing in the bus. The Wildcats knocked off Lake Wales Vanguard on Thursday in a thrilling 49-48 victory. Haslam and crew will host Winter Haven All Saints' at home in a battle of district runners-up and will need big performances from Haslam's son, Ethan, who is averaging 18 points per game and Abaz Igwe (8.9 points per game). Look for this game to come down to fourth-quarter play and limiting turnovers on both ends.

Andy Villamarzo