Girls hoops: Region semifinals preview

ALL GAMES TONIGHT AT 7

CLASS 6A-REGION 3

Sickles at Jefferson

NEED TO KNOW: Jefferson is 3-0 against Sickles this season, including a 52-48 victory over the Gryphons (20-7) in the district final. Expect another close game in this clash of styles: Jefferson (19-6) will rely on its inside game with Shayla Wilson (14 points a game, 5 rebounds), while Sickles will look to score more from outside with its guards, led by Bre Crum (21 points).

CLASS 5A-REGION 2

Pasco at Gulf

NEED TO KNOW: This will be the fourth time the Buccaneers (27-2) and Pirates clash. Gulf is 3-0 against Pasco (25-3), but the Pirates have inched closer and closer to stopping the Buccaneers' fast tempo style of play. Pasco's frontcourt size could bother Gulf, as the Buccaneers do not have any dominant post play offensively or defensively. Gulf will need its three-guard trio of Kayla Kivinski (18.6 points), Kadejah Saunders (16.8 points) and point guard Lexy Schulman (9.8 assists, 7.8 steals) to play well.

CLASS 4A-REGION 3

Holy Names at Tampa Catholic

NEED TO KNOW: Tampa Catholic (19-9) has won 10 consecutive games by an average of more than 25 points. Academy of the Holy Names (18-6) was one of the victims during the streak, losing, 62-45, to TC on Feb. 3 in the district final. Expect AHN to try to slow the pace against TC's relentless, frenzied pace.

CLASS 3A-REGION 2

Brooks-DeBartolo at Seffner Christian

NEED TO KNOW: The district final between these teams was close until the final seconds before Seffner Christian pulled out a 58-53 victory. The loss made Brooks-DeBartolo (18-8) 0-3 against Seffner Christian (23-5) on the season, but don't count the Phoenix out of this fourth matchup.

CLASS 2A-REGION 2

Academy at the Lakes at Avon Park Walker

NEED TO KNOW: The Wildcats (21-5) were able to cruise past Winter Haven All Saints' last week, 71-33. However, Avon Park Walker (20-0) stands in Academy at the Lakes' path of a region final berth. Andrea Mauger (22 points) broke the 1,000-point plateau against All Saints' and will need to lead the Wildcats past one of their toughest tests to date.