By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Poinciana and Harmony’s girls basketball teams made it to the regional playoffs last year and they are positioned to punch those tickets again.

The Eagles and Longhorns are the top two seeds at the 4A District 6 tournament, which begins Wednesday at Celebration High School.

Poinciana (20-2) went undefeated in district play, and as the top seed earned a first-round bye. The Eagles begin their title defense Friday at 7 p.m., awaiting the winner of Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. game between Celebration (13-9) and St. Cloud (6-16).

Tuesday’s storms canceled the Eagles’ game against South Lake. Poinciana got 30 points from Kadesia Johnson and 20 from Geri Navarro on Monday in a 70-54 win over The First Academy, their eighth win in nine January games. They closed the regular season Friday against Liberty.

Coach Jamerson Jones said he didn’t mind missing a game this week, preferring to get in the gym and practice the playoff game plan.

“It’s been good to get a week of practice, we’re going to make some adjustments,” he said. “The kids have big plans, but if we don’t win Friday all our plans are scrapped. Hopefully that will help our kids focus. We need to bring the A-game every time out from now on.”

On the other side of the bracket, Harmony will play Eustis at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, and with a win it gets Wednesday’s Tavares-Oak Ridge winner Friday at 5:30 p.m.

The Longhorns (12-6) could get a boost next week when center Nia Frederick, out all month with a hand injury, gets her cast removed.

“Nia should play Wednesday,” HHS Coach Paul Strauch said. “We are focused on Eustis and hope to get a chance to play the Oak Ridge-Tavares winner. We have played two tough games this week and hope to have a good showing (at the district tournament).”

Friday’s winners will meet Saturday at 7 p.m., then play in the regional quarterfinals Feb. 10.

The Longhorns geared up with a win over Liberty on Wednesday.

The Kowgirls (14-9) are the third seed behind host Haines City and Winter Haven in the 5A-5 tournament, which begins Tuesday when No. 4 seed Liberty takes on Sebring at 6 p.m. Osceola will play No. 6 seed Lake Wales Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Should Osceola win, it draws Monday’s Winter Haven-Ridge Community winner on Friday at 6 p.m. A Liberty win puts it in Friday’s semifinal against Haines City.

Osceola has won six of its last seven.

“We’re playing well right now. Junior (Diaz) and Montana (Bass) are shooting very well right now and our defense is doing its job,” he said. “Our season hinges on finding a solution for Winter Haven, but right now I feel like we have a chance against anybody.”

The Kowgirls hosted St. Cloud on Friday.

Gateway, the third county team to reach the regional playoffs last year, will have to do it as the No. 4 seed in the 6A-6 tournament at Port St. Lucie Centennial. The Panthers play Palm Bay Bayside at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with the winner drawing the Centennial-Treasure Coast winner Friday at 6 p.m.