The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) boys’ basketball state championships resume this week with the larger classifications taking the stage at UNF Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Here is a preview of the 7A semifinals that are scheduled to take place on Friday:

Lake Mary vs. Columbus (Miami)- Friday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m.

In our first semifinal in Class 7A, the Lake Mary Rams take the two-hour trip to Jacksonville to take on the four-time defending state champion Columbus Explorers, who have high aspirations at a possible fifth straight, which only two other schools have accomplished that feat all time.

The Lake Mary Rams (23-7) come into the Final Four carrying a three- game winning streak and have won eight of their last nine games. The Rams are a district runner-up, where they lost to Seminole (Sanford), 52-43, back on February 7. During the regional playoffs, the Rams picked

up wins over Hagerty, Atlantic Coast, and Winter Park to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history. Leading the way this season for the Rams has been 6-foot-2 senior guard Owen Ceynowa, 6-foot-4 senior wing Tyler Schenck, and 6-3 senior combo guard Jacoby Osborne.

The Columbus Explorers (24-6) have put together another stellar season, where they have won the last four Class 7A championships and won the Chipotle Nationals last season for their first national title in program history. While Andrew Moran may now be at the University of Miami under Jai Lucas’ coaching staff, the Explorers are led by first-year head coach Jorge Milo, who was an assistant under Moran for the previous six seasons. The Explorers come into the Final Four matchup with LakeMary on a 10-game winning streak, dating back to January 19, when they lost to St. John Bosco (California) at the Hoophall Classic. Leading the way this season for the Explorers is 6-foot-8 senior power forward Caleb Gaskins (Miami signee), 6-foot-5 senior guard Felipe Quinones (Florida Atlantic signee), 6-foot-9 freshman forward Cayden Gaskins, and 6-4 senior guard Marcellous “Cello” Jackson (Memphis signee).

Sarasota vs. Oak Ridge (Orlando)- Friday, March 13 at 3:00 p.m.

In the other 7A semifinal matchup, the Sarasota Sailors return to the Final Four for the second consecutive season after failing to reach the big stage for 56 years before the 2024-2025 season. Standing in their way are the Oak Ridge Pioneers, who are looking to get back to the state championship game for the second time in three years and are also seeking the program’s first state title since 2018.

Sarasota (24-6) comes into the Final Four matchup with Oak Ridge riding an 8-game winning streak, dating back to January 17, when they lost to Coatesville (Pennsylvania) at the Wally Keller Classic. Leading the way this season are 6-foot-4 junior guard Johnny Lackaff, 6-foot-7 senior forward David Young, and 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Greg Dauer. Another name to keep an eye on in this matchup will be 6-foot-8 senior forward Sam Reindel, who transferred from Cardinal Mooney last off-season.

Oak Ridge (20-9) comes into the Final Four matchup with Sarasota carrying a six-game winning streak, dating back to January 27 when they lost to 2A champion Providence. The Pioneers have cruised through the regional playoffs, where they picked up wins over St. Cloud, Windermere, and Olympia. Leading the way for the Pioneers this season are 6-foot-3 senior guard Donovan Williams Jr. (UCF commit), 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Jahmar Smith, 5-foot-11 junior guard Whitfield Bynoe, and 6-foot-2 senior point guard Nate Earl.

Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast region scout & writer for On The Radar Hoops since 2024. He has been involved in basketball scouting with previous stops at Prep Hoops from 2022 to 2024. You can follow him on X @RossVDG14 or reach him via email at rossvdg14@gmail.com