PREVIEW: Girls hoops squads ready for districts

District tournaments for girls basketball begin Monday, with several area teams hopeful they can advance to the regional playoffs.

By Steven Ryzewski
| 4:40 p.m. January 21, 2016

Sports

Things are heating up on the hardwood as the regular season for girls varsity basketball draws to a close and district tournaments are set to begin on Monday, Jan. 25.

Area public school programs Ocoee (14-6), Olympia (13-9), Dr. Phillips (11-13) and West Orange (11-9) all hope to finish as either district champion or runner-up to advance to their respective state playoffs.

Private schools CFCA (10-13), Foundation Academy (7-12) and Windermere Prep (5-11) are not to be counted out, either.

Legacy Charter (5-12), which is in its first year of existence as a program, is not eligible for the postseason.

District-by-district

Class 8A, District 3

TEAMS: West Orange, Apopka, Evans, Wekiva

LOCATION: Apopka High, 555 W. Martin St., Apopka

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: 7 p.m. Jan. 29

THE BUZZ: At 15-4, Wekiva figures to be the favorite, while a young West Orange squad has a good shot at advancing to regionals.

Class 8A, District 5

TEAMS: Dr. Phillips, Olympia, Cypress Creek, Freedom, Oak Ridge

LOCATION: Oak Ridge High, 700 W. Oak Ridge Road, Orlando

GAME: 7 p.m. Jan. 29

THE BUZZ: Rivals Dr. Phillips and Olympia could very well meet to decide the district after each had success during the regular season.

Class 7A, District 5

TEAMS: Ocoee, East Ridge, East River, Lake Howell, Lake Minneola

LOCATION: Lake Minneola High, 101 N. Hancock Road, Minneola

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: 7 p.m. Jan. 29

THE BUZZ: Ocoee has dominated district play, making it a favorite to emerge as the district champ.

Class 3A, District 5

TEAMS: Foundation Academy, Windermere Prep, Lake Mary Prep

LOCATION: Foundation Academy, 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: 7 p.m. Jan. 30

THE BUZZ: Foundation is 3-0 in district play as of Jan. 17, meaning it will receive a first-round bye and automatically qualify for the regional tournament.