Class 3A Florida Girls Basketball State Championship preview: Cardinal Mooney vs. Miami Country Day
LAKELAND, FLORIDA- With there being so many state championship rematches from a year ago, why not add another?
Cardinal Mooney and Miami Country Day need no introduction to one another, as they are well acquainted. The Spartans upended the Cougars 54-38 and won the 2022-2023 Class 3A state title, adding another piece of hardware to the trophy case.
That's where the Cougars want to change the script this time around at the RP Funding Center Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. Whenever there's a rematch of two teams that know one another pretty well, it usually brings out the best in everyone.
We expect nothing different.
The Cougars (22-6) loaded up their 2023-2024 schedule with the toughest teams around the state and they've been better for it. Currently on a 14-game winning streak, the girls from Sarasota feel like they have the championship makeup to win this time around.
After an 0-2 start, with losses to Butler (Illinois) and Montverde Academy, Cardinal Mooney has been impressive ever since then. Winners against talented programs like Charlotte, Lakewood, Palm Bay, Plantation American Heritage and Venice, the Cougars have not lacked for experience against top flight teams.
Down below is the playoff run Cardinal Mooney went through in reaching states again.
Region quarterfinals: Fort Myers Canterbury, 67-32
Region semifinals: Tampa Prep, 72-66
Region finals: Tampa Catholic, 64-40
State semifinals: Seffner Christian, 66-52
Three players for the Cougars are averaging in the double digit category, with junior dynamo Kali Barrett leading the club with 14.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Joining Barrett in the double digit scoring department are fellow teammates Sy'monique Simon (12.3 points) and Madi Mignery (10.8 points), whose brother, Devin, helped Cardinal Mooney win a state championship in football.
The standard for a successful season at Miami Country Day (21-8) is winning state championships, period. Not coming away with a title falls under not finishing the job as the Spartans have won eight state championships. Eyes are firmly notching No. 9.
This season didn't start off well, but that's also the quality of the opponents Miami Country Day was up against. The Spartans lost three in a row, including starting off with a 58-38 loss to IMG Academy.
Miami Country Day wouldn't stay down for long, however. The Spartans got better as the season progressed, as expected, and now are back where they always expected to be. Kayla Nelms has been the team's catalyst, averaging a team-high 14.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
Down below is the postseason path Miami Country Day went on before landing in the state title game.
Region quarterfinals: Ransom Everglades, 84-29
Region semifinals: Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, 78-30
Region finals: Somerset Prep, 52-37
State semifinals: Providence School, 60-38
Both teams will meet for the rematch on Friday evening, 5:30 p.m. at the RP Funding Center.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
