TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - High school girls basketball teams in the state of Florida looked to inch closer to a State Championship on Thursday night, as the first round of Regional play hit the floor.
The Lincoln Trojans won the Class 7A District 2 title last week, and with the win, comes the right to host the first round. The Trojans hosted Niceville, and the visiting Eagles pulled away in the second half, winning 55-42.
Staying alive in Class 7A? Leon, who beat Navarre 54-49. The Lions will take on Niceville in the Regional Semifinals on Tuesday, February 9th.
In Class 5A, the Rickards Raiders were eliminated from the postseason in Quarterfinal play last season, so on Thursday, they were looking to avoid the same fate. Rickards took an early lead over visiting Arnold, and never looked back, winning big 62-26. The Raiders will travel to Panama City Mosley on Tuesday to face the Dolphins, who eliminated Godby 84-60.
In Class 4A, East Gadsden defeated Walton High School 71-30 to seal up a spot in the Regional Semifinals, while both North Florida Christian and Maclay were eliminated in Class 3A.
In Class 2A, the FAMU DRS Baby Lady Rattlers coasted through the Class 2A playoffs en route to a State Championship last season. This year, the girls look to repeat, and first up? Harvest Community.
The Baby Lady Rattlers jumped out to an early lead, and they didn't look back, winning 81-22. Erin Turral, a 7th grader, led FAMU Thursday with 37 points, including 24 of the first quarter's 32. She added seven steals, while twin sister Erica led with eight assists. FAMU will host Aucilla Christian on Tuesday, who defeated Seacoast Christian.
In Class 1A, girls basketball teams are already in Semifinal action, and on Thursday night, the date was set for a district rematch between Madison County and Lafayette, as both won their respective Region 2 Semifinal games. The Cowgirls beat Hawthorne 51-22, while Lafayette handled Williston 71-61.
In 1A Region 3, West Gadsden beat Chipley 53-50 to seal up their spot in the Regional Finals. Class 1A Regional Finals are Tuesday, February 9th, while Classes 2A-8A take the floor the same night in Semifinal contests.
