Boys Basketball State Semifinals
All games at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Admission is $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the event via the RP Funding Center Box Office. Parking is $12.
Class 5A
No. 4 St. Petersburg (18-11) vs. No. 1 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (18-9), 7 p.m. tonight
How they got here: St. Petersburg defeated Cape Coral 46-40, Port Charlotte 70-67 (OT), Countryside 60-52 (2OT); Blanche Ely defeated American 77-22, Miami Norland 51-45, Pembroke Pines Charter 59-56.
Stat Leaders
| Category | St. Petersburg | Blanche Ely |
| Points per game | Nijuan Harris, 27.6 | Dylan Hanna, 16.4 |
| Rebounds per game | Nijuan Harris, 6.2 | Kaleb Corbitt, 9.4 |
| Assists per game | Emit Gainer, 4.1 | Justin Snell, 3.4 |
| Steals per game | Nijuan Harris, 1.9 | Dylan Hanna, 2.0 |
| Blocks per game | Julian Macon, 0.8 | Jayelon Jonas, 3.1 |
Outlook
In what has become a familiar postseason matchup, St. Petersburg faces nemesis Blanche Ely in the 5A state semifinals tonight, marking the team’s fourth meeting in the past 13 years.
The Green Devils are making their third state semifinal appearance in four seasons, continuing a tradition of postseason excellence. Wednesday’s contest marks another chapter in their storied history with Blanche Ely—the programs previously met in the state semifinals in 2012 and 2018, as well as the state championship game in 2016.
St. Petersburg enters the matchup battle-tested, with five of their past six games decided by single digits, including two overtime thrillers. This experience in tight contests could prove valuable against the top-seeded Tigers, who come in riding a five-game winning streak.
The Green Devils are powered by standout Nijaun Harris, who leads the team with an impressive 27.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Blanche Ely counters with a balanced attack led by Dylon Hanna (16.4 ppg) and dominant inside presence Jayelen Jonas, who averages 3.1 blocks per game.
Statistically, the teams are remarkably even, with St. Petersburg averaging 62.6 points per game to Blanche Ely’s 62.3. The Tigers hold a significant advantage on the glass, averaging 40.6 rebounds compared to the Green Devils’ 29.9.
Both teams have shown they can win away from home — St. Petersburg sports a 6-2 road record, while Blanche Ely has gone 9-4 on neutral courts.
