The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) boys’ basketball state championships tip off this week at UNF Arena on the campus of the University of North Florida. We will be previewing all eight classifications over the course of the next couple of weeks.

#4 Ponce De Leon vs. #1 Crossroad Academy- Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

In our first semifinal of the rural classification state championships, the 4-seed Ponce De Leon is two wins away from their first state championship since 1972. The Pirates have also recorded their first 20- win season since 2000, when they reached the regional semifinals. They

also come into this year’s semifinals as a district runner-up after winning nine straight games before the district championship game. The Pirates have been led this season by 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Amarion Griggs, who is averaging 15.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6-foot junior guard Malachi Kirkland, who leads the team in assists and steals per game this season.

On the other side is the top-seed Crossroad Academy Scorpions, who return to the final four for the third consecutive season. The Scorpions reached the state championship game last season before falling to state champion Hawthorne and reached the state semifinal game in 2024

before losing to Hilliard under previous head coach Colin Anderson Jr., who left the program to take over at Florida State University High School over the summer. Now, the Scorpions return to the promised land under first-year head coach Brandon Shingles. The Scorpions are led by 6-foot-2 senior guard Jabari Boahen, who is the team’s leading scorer. 6-foot-6 senior wing Trenton Jones leads the team in rebounds and blocks, so he will be worth keeping an eye on during the state semifinal matchup with Ponce De Leon.

#3 Trenton vs. #2 Williston- Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

The Trenton Tigers are two wins away from winning the school’s first state championship in boys’ basketball. The Tigers have gotten huge contributions this season from 6-foot-5 junior wing Mason VunCannon, who leads the team in scoring, where he averages nearly 17 points per game. 6-foot-3 junior guard Tyler Bullis has been a lead catalyst when it comes to his productivity at getting his teammates involved, averaging nearly 12 points and nearly four assists per game this season.

The Tigers enter their first-ever Final Four appearance in school history on a 14-game winning streak, dating back to January 10, when they lost to Eastside (Gainesville) 52-45 in the Buchholz Shootout.

The Williston Red Devils (20-7) return to the Final Four for the third time in the last four seasons, where they will be seeking the school’s third state championship as well. The Red Devils have currently played one of the class’s toughest schedules, where they carry a five-game winning streak heading into the Final Four.

The Red Devils have been led this season by 6-foot-2 senior guard Traeston Armstrong, who is leading the team in scoring, averaging nearly 16 points per game. 6-foot-5 junior wing Jaden Magee will be tough to contain on the glass, as he comes in as the team’s leading rebounder, averaging nearly nine rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field. 5-foot-10 sophomore guard Jacques Edwards has been a catalyst on the offensive end for the Red Devils, where he is often viewed as the team’s second option, averaging 11.7 points and nearly three assists per game.

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