West, Southwest Orange high school basketball teams prep for playoffs

The West Orange and Southwest Orange communities are hotbeds for high school basketball, and the 2024-25 season has yet again shown that to be the case, with multiple boys and girls teams positioning themselves to compete for regional and even state titles. 

Now that the regular season has concluded and teams begin to play in their respective regional tournaments, here’s a preview of the playoff picture for the area’s teams.

TOP AREA TEAMS

BOYS

Windermere High (22-5)

MaxPreps Class 7A Ranking: No. 2

District finish: Champions

Best results: 79-52 win vs. Viera (21-4), 74-41 vs. Gateway Charter (19-8), 74-56 win at Evans (21-6), 70-55 win vs. Santa Fe Catholic (19-8), 86-61 win vs. Tampa Catholic (19-9) and 65-47 win vs. Sagemont Prep (17-8). 

Player to watch: T.J. Drain, forward, senior. 

The senior big man will be key to any run the Wolverines can make this postseason after leading Windermere to both a West Metro Conference and District 5 championship this season as its primary scorer and defensive anchor. Drain has averaged 19.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.

Postseason outlook

The Wolverines face a tough path in Region 2 of the 7A playoffs, with district rivals Olympia High and Oak Ridge High likely in their way to reaching the final four. Given Windermere has topped the Titans twice this season and Olympia managed to knock off Oak Ridge on the road, coach Mark Griseck’s team looks primed for a run to the state semifinals — where it could meet up with defending champions Columbus High, that are favored to repeat.

Windermere Prep (13-13)

MaxPreps Class 3A Ranking: No. 15

District finish: Lost in semifinals

Best results: 74-64 win vs. Bartow (19-8), 50-45 win vs. Oviedo (16-11), 76-67 win vs. Centennial (19-7) and 50-47 win at Lake Highland Prep (22-4).

Player to watch: Brandon Bass Jr., wing, junior. 

Once again, Bass is the driving force behind a Lakers team heading into the postseason. He leads the team in points and rebounds — averaging 20.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. With the capability to take over any game, Bass is going to be key in Windermere Prep’s run to a third consecutive state title game appearance. 

Postseason outlook

Despite a .500 record, the Lakers are still one of the top teams in the area thanks to its stellar guard play — led by Bass, Samuel Shoptaw and Isaiah Gillard. Although WPS will be on the road as the No. 6 seed, its playoff experience makes it a real threat to fight its way through Region 2 and get back to the state title game for a third consecutive season. 

The First Academy (17-8)

MaxPreps Class 2A Ranking: No. 12

District finish: Runners-up

Best results: 64-60 win vs. Windermere Prep (13-13), 53-49 win at Oviedo (16-11), 73-68 win vs. Osceola (23-3) and 59-56 win at Melbourne (18-8). 

Player to watch: Max Simmons, guard, junior. 

A sharpshooting veteran guard averaging 12.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.2 steals per game, Simmons is a key leader for a fast-paced TFA team that relies on shooting and effort.

Postseason outlook

Led by Simmons, the Royals are a well-rounded club that can win games with a variety of players leading the way. This versatility, along with a playing style that can flip a game on its head, there’s a good chance first-year coach Tarrik Mabon might be able to lead TFA on a deep run.

GIRLS

Dr. Phillips High (16-9)

MaxPreps Class 7A Ranking: No. 3

District finish: Champions

Best results: 53-35 win vs. Ocoee (22-3), 74-73 win vs. Cardinal Mooney (19-9), 75-50 win vs. West Port (16-8), 79-57 win vs. Windermere Prep (19-7), 64-37 win at Central Florida Christian (18-8), 73-31 win vs. Leesburg (12-9) and 80-38 win vs. Oak Ridge (17-9). 

Player to watch: Jamila Ray, guard, junior. 

After seeing limited time as a sophomore, Ray has stepped up and helped lead the Lady Panthers to both a West Metro and district title as a junior. Through 23 games, Ray is averaging 12.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

Postseason outlook

After a gauntlet of a schedule and a roster full of players with championship experience, Dr. Phillips is ready to run through Region 2 and claim a state title for a fourth consecutive time. 

Ocoee High (22-3)

MaxPreps Class 7A Ranking: No. 4

District finish: Champions

Best results: 64-30 win vs. Lake Mary (17-9), 52-44 win vs. Leesburg (12-9), 65-36 win vs. Edgewater (16-8), Oak Ridge (17-9), 54-47 win at Horizon (17-8), 68-52 win at Central Florida Christian (18-8) and 58-49 win vs. West Port (16-8). 

Player to watch: Dakara Merthie, guard, junior. 

In her first season as a member of the Lady Knights, Merthie has been the motor driving Ocoee to one of its best-ever seasons. The junior is averaging 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 3.2 assists per game.

Postseason outlook

As the No. 1 seed in Region 1, the Lady Knights have a favorable path to make a run to the final four and compete for a state championship.

The First Academy (22-4)

MaxPreps Class 2A Ranking: No. 5

District finish: Champions

Best results: 46-32 win vs. Central Florida Christian (18-8), 29-26 win at Lake Mary (17-9), 53-41 win vs. Oak Ridge (17-9), 52-44 win vs. Beachside (13-9), 57-49 win vs. Miami Christian (15-11) and 39-29 win vs. Trinity Catholic (17-9).

Player to watch: Bianca Hall, guard, sophomore. 

The sophomore guard has continued to develop — as both a player and leader — in her third season as a member of the Royals and is averaging 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

Postseason outlook

With a balanced roster and an eight-game winning streak entering the playoffs, the Royals are one of the favorites to come out of Region 1. With Hall leading the backcourt and running mates Sofi Miller in the paint and Avery Michels on the wing, TFA have more than enough talent to make a deep run this postseason.