Playoff picture becoming clearer for local basketball, soccer teams
The following is an update on the possible playoff seedings for local schools in basketball and soccer:
Girls soccer (district tourneys begin Jan. 29-30): North Fort Myers has a big lead in points to be the top seed in the District 5A-11 tournament, and is all but assured of a spot in the state playoffs. With 59 points, the Red Knights trail only Estero and Naples in the region. Ida Baker is currently in contention for a playoff spot, and Cape Coral is in the chase. … In District 4A-8, it appears Mariner will be the second seed in the tournament behind Lemon Bay. The Tritons (150 points) have a good shot at a wild-card playoff berth should they not win the district tourney. … Bishop Verot is just four points behind Sarasota Cardinal Mooney for the top seed in District 3A-8. For either the Vikings or Oasis, a district tourney will probably be necessary to reach the playoffs. District 3A-7 alone has four teams more highly ranked than anyone in 3A-8.
Boys soccer (district tourneys begin Jan. 30-31): In District 5A-11, Cape Coral holds a substantial lead in the race for top seed in the district tournament. The Seahawks are fourth in the region in points, which should put them into the playoffs either with or without a district title. …. Mariner (48 points) has a huge lead, not only in District 4A-8, but in the entire region. The next-best team in points, both in the district and the region, is LaBelle — 80 points behind. … Bishop Verot, the points leader in District 3A-8, will need a district title to make the playoffs.
Girls basketball (district tourneys begin Feb. 3-5): Mariner and Cape Coral are 1-2 in points toward being the top seed in District 5A-11, and both are in the chase for playoff bids. Despite a solid season, Island Coast will need to win the district tournament to advance. … Bishop Verot has the points lead to be top seed in District 3A-7, with Oasis in second. Both teams are contenders to reach the state playoffs.
Boys basketball (district tourneys start Feb. 10): Mariner currently stands as the second seed to Port Charlotte in District 5A-11, and is in solid contention to nail down a state playoff berth. Ida Baker, Cape Coral and Island Coast would need a district tourney title to advance. … Bishop Verot and Oasis need to win the District 4A-8 tournament to make state.
Wednesday’s scores
Boys basketball
Mariner 72, Oasis 59: Dsean Archilles scored 22 points and Derrick Purdy had 16 to lead Mariner, which improved to 15-4 after Wednesday’s home win against the Sharks (0-17). Oasis is home Thursday to play Cypress Lake. Next up for Mariner is a Monday home game with Ida Baker.
Gateway Charter 68, Island Coast 51: The Griffins (11-8) improved to 7-2 at home, dropping the Gators to 1-15. Island Coast plays at Cape Coral on Friday.
Tuesday
Girls basketball
Bishop Verot 55, First Baptist 35: The Vikings are 3-0 in the Private 8 Conference with Tuesday’s win. Addison Potts scored 21 points and Catie Reszel 19 for Verot (5-16). The Vikings are home Friday with Evangelical Christian.
Island Coast 36, Ida Baker 22: The Gators (11-6) moved to 3-1 in District 5A-11. For Ida Baker, the loss ended a two-game winning streak and left the Bulldogs, 3-14, 0-5. Island Coast is at Cape Coral on Friday in another District 5A-11 match-up. Ida Baker gets South Fort Myers at home Thursday.
Mariner 58, LaBelle 44: Mariner dominated the second half 38-21 for the victory. The Tritons are 15-4 going into a Thursday home game with Bonita Springs.
Lemon Bay 54, Oasis 28: Katelyn Ziarnicki scored 20 points and Olivia Bigg had 18 for the Manta Rays (8-10). Oasis fell to 8-8 going into Thursday’s game at Bonita Springs.
Boys basketball
South Fort Myers 65, North Fort Myers 63: The Red Knights (4-13) came up just short in their upset bid. Cade Daugherty scored 23 points for the Wolfpack (12-7).
First Baptist 38, Bishop Verot 31: Verot (11-8) was held to six points in the second half as FBA upped its record to 14-8. Evangelical Christian plays at Verot on Friday.
Mariner 89, LaBelle 45: The Tritons (14-4) dominated the host Cowboys for their fourth win in five games. Mariner is home against Oasis on Wednesday.
Lehigh 91, Cape Coral 55: The 11-9 Lightning left the Seahawks at 5-11 on the season. Cape will seek to rebound Thursday at Island Coast.
Lemon Bay 53, Oasis 48: The Sharks (0-16) remain in search of their first win after dropping a close decision to the Manta Rays (8-11).
Ida Baker 68, Island Coast 44: Bryce Donnelly led 11 Bulldogs (10-11, 4-3 District 5A-11) who scored with 16 points. Island Coast (1-15, 0-5) got a game-high 19 points from Naihjae Cook. The Gators play Gateway Charter on Wednesday, while Ida Baker doesn’t play again until Jan. 28 at Mariner.
Girls soccer
Oasis 10, Neumann 2: Oasis (9-4) had no trouble picking up a road win at 4-8 Neumann. The Sharks are home with Lehigh on Thursday.
Lemon Bay 6, Cape Coral 2: The 16-1 Manta Rays were unkind hosts in dropping the Seahawks to 8-7. Cape travels to Golden Gate on Friday.
Mariner 2, Ida Baker 1: The Tritons (10-5-1) were tested by the Bulldogs (9-4-3) on Tuesday. The Bulldogs have one regular season match remaining, Jan. 30 with Estero. Mariner is home Friday to face Palmetto Ridge.
North Fort Myers 1, Evangelical Christian 0: Freshman Avery Utt scored the only goal of the match on an assist by Hailey Turner. The Red Knights (10-2-2) are home Friday to face Bishop Verot.
Boys soccer
LaBelle 6, Bishop Verot 3: 11-3 LaBelle doubled up the 4-8-2 Vikings. Bishop Verot is at Evangelical Christian on Thursday.
North Fort Myers 2, Evangelical Christian 2 (tie): Garrett Palow scored both Red Knights (2-15-2) goals. Brandon Bush assisted on one of Palow’s goals. North Fort Myers is home against East Lee County on Thursday.