Girls basketball: Region quarterfinals preview

ALL GAMES TONIGHT AT 7

CLASS 8A-REGION 2

Newsome at North Port

NEED TO KNOW: Newsome (14-9) pulled off the upset of the year with a 53-49 victory against Plant in a district semifinal. Overall, the Wolves look like one of the most improved teams in the county, playing particularly well down the stretch.

East Lake at Wharton

NEED TO KNOW: No one gave Wharton (13-14) much of a chance at winning its district, but then it did, beating upstart Newsome 66-57 in the final. Like Newsome, the Wildcats could make a case for being the county's most improved team after winning seven of its last eight games.

CLASS 7A-REGION 2

Riverview at Haines City

NEED TO KNOW: Riverview (21-4) continues to search for chemistry after losing two starters for the season because of injuries. Leading scorers Faith Woodard (20 ppg) and Tesha Hanson (19 ppg) are capable of keeping Riverview in almost any game.

Bartow at Tampa Bay Tech

NEED TO KNOW: TBT (23-2) has won 14 consecutive games and has not lost since Dec. 28, against highly ranked Fort Pierce Lincoln Park in a Christmas tournament.

CLASS 7A-REGION 3

Freedom at Clearwater

NEED TO KNOW: Freedom (18-9) showed it shouldn't be taken lightly with a 40-38 victory against Jefferson earlier this year. Clearwater (20-6) is always tough, particularly at home where the crowds are large and loud.

St. Petersburg at Steinbrenner

NEED TO KNOW: Steinbrenner (22-2) will get to show if it's for real beginning tonight against St. Petersburg, which may be 10-9, but has played a challenging schedule. The Green Devils played Clearwater tough before losing 43-36. Steinbrenner's Bailey Hooker (20 ppg) has played well against everybody this season.

CLASS 6A-REGION 3

Sickles at Palmetto

NEED TO KNOW: Sickles (19-7) has played in a lot of tight games this season, which should serve it well through the playoffs. Bre Crum (20 ppg) provides the Gryphons' spark and has never backed off in tight spots.

Largo at Jefferson

NEED TO KNOW: After a relatively slow start, Jefferson (18-6) went 9-1 after the Christmas break. The Dragons should move on if they stay focused tonight against the Packers (10-13).

CLASS 5A-REGION 3

Robinson at Lakewood

NEED TO KNOW: Don't let Lakewood's 12-9 record fool you, because the Spartans have played a tough schedule. Lakewood earned more respect after defeating Bradenton Southeast 49-44 to win the district title. Robinson (15-9) is young but has steadily improved.

Bradenton Southeast at Blake

NEED TO KNOW: Blake (16-9) has won eight in a row. The Yellow Jackets, however, will have their hands full against Southeast (22-5).

CLASS 4A-REGION 3

Academy of the Holy Names at Avon Park

NEED TO KNOW: AHN (17-6) sputtered a bit during a 4-4 run to end the season. In fairness to the Jaguars, however, the final eight games were mostly against top-notch opponents.

Lake Placid at Tampa Catholic

NEED TO KNOW: Tampa Catholic (18-9) appears to be 100 percent healthy after struggling with a series of injuries to starters early in the season. With all their starters running at full speed, the Crusaders have won nine straight by an average of more than 25 points.

CLASS 3A-REGION 2

Brooks-DeBartolo at Lakeland McKeel

NEED TO KNOW: Brooks-DeBartolo (17-8) is a dangerous team, with Tatiana Manuel, Vintoria Hopps and Chelsea White all scoring in double figures. Brooks-DeBartolo also has played a challenging schedule and should be ready for a solid performance in the playoffs.

Lakeland Christian at Seffner Christian

NEED TO KNOW: Led by Peyton Walker (18 ppg) and Sabrina Whiting (15 ppg), the Crusaders can compete with just about any team in the state. Seffner Christian (22-4) showed its toughness in a 58-53 district final victory against Brooks-DeBartolo.