First, let me explain how I came to these conclusions since there are some assumptions we had to make, given how little the FHSAA gave out:

I started with the 4/5/22 FHSAA rankings, and since no one in Gainesville would confirm or deny that the games of 4/4 were included, I will go with what Tampa Lax Report said and make 4/5 the starting point for including results.

According to some of what was probable, the District playoff games carried a little more weight than a regular season game. The issue of a head to head win was never confirmed, so I will count the head to head in the playoff as more important.

Won-Loss record certainly seemed to be more important than first thought and strength of schedule less important, so I carried that thinking over too.

There are a few games left today due to weather and a brush fire, so they are inclusive of both schools when projecting positions/slots.

We are going to do one of these articles for each region – 16 in total.

I have no reason to think geography will be part of the selection process, like it is in the NCAA at times. If a District rematch is indicated in the first round, I am assuming it will be played. There is no indication that the FHSAA will avoid first round rematches at this time.

Margin of victory does not seem important, and a forfeit is not counted (this is problematic if won-loss is so important).

Okay, if I think of something else, I’ll add it!

Region 3 – Girls 2A

Lots of competition here too. Steinbrenner, coming off their Final Four run, was looking for more, and they are the #1 seed. Newsome swept the season from Plant, including the district final, for the #2 seed.

Riverview-Sarasota handled Manatee 11-7 to gain the #3 seed and Gulf Coast got by Venice to earn the #4 seed.

There were five bunched teams fighting for the 4 at-large bids:

Sickles – #10 – 3-1 record after 4/4, lost district semifinal

Plant – #11 – 2-1 record, lost final

Mitchell – #12 – 1-3 record, lost to Wiregrass in semifinal

Wiregrass Ranch – #19 – 2-2, lost final

Manatee – #21 – 2-1 record, lost in final, plus one goal losses to ODA and SSE

Analysis:

Of the top 3 bunched together, it was Plant with the best season end, and the head-to-head over Sickles in district, so they get #5.

Mitchell fell off badly to end the year and Sickles should be in front of them at #6.

The gap from 12-19 is pretty big, but if it is breached, it likely means by both Wiregrass and Manatee. We’ll assume the 3 losses is pretty significant and slide Mitchell out, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that is way off.

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So, this is how it looks:

#1 Steinbrenner vs #8 Manatee

#2 Newsome vs #7 Wiregrass Ranch

#3 Riverview-Sarasota vs #6 Sickles

#4 Gulf Coast vs #5 Plant