3A-8 Playoff Preview: Clewiston, Glades Central Chasing BV

Bishop Verot is at the top of this district, and it might be tough for either of the Palm Beach clubs to pull off the upset.

Oasis is more likely to challenge the Vikings, but Clewiston and Glades Central could surprise everyone.

Let’s take a look at each team’s prospects.

3A-8 District Playoff Schedule

Location: Higher seed will host

Semifinals – Tuesday (5/2)

No. 1 Bishop Verot vs. No. 4 Glades Central @ 7:00 p.m.

No. 2 Oasis vs. No. 3 Clewiston @ 7:00 p.m.

Finals – Thursday (5/4)

Winner (Bishop Verot-Glades Central) vs. Winner (Oasis-Clewiston) @ 7:00 p.m.

Bishop Verot – Team Page

The Vikings are on top of 3A-8 and have worked their way to the No. 5 spot on HSBN’s Southwest Florida Power Rankings. It’s been six years since the last district title for the program, but Cardinal Mooney moving out of the district might help change that.

Junior Jason Bello leads the club with 31 hits and sophomore Grayson Carpenter is just behind him with 29 base knocks. Joseph Lawson and Fidel Alviar IV have done damage with men on base, driving in 22 runs each. On the mound, senior Andrew Knaak has one of the highest strikeout totals in the state with 94 through 58 innings. He’s also maintained a 1.21 ERA.

This could be the year the Vikings finally get back on top of the district, and then it’s time to focus on a tough regional schedule.

Clewiston – Team Page

The Tigers ended the regular season off on the right foot with a win over Boca Raton Christian, but a five-win season doesn’t inspire a ton of hope for a deep playoff run.

Still, upsetting Oasis might be possible after Clewiston spent most of the season facing talented ball clubs.

Notching a postseason win would be a first for the Tigers HSBN began covering the program in 2016.

Glades Central  – Team Page

The Raiders have a tough draw in Bishop Verot as a semifinal opponent, which is a downside of being in a four-team district.

Glades Central hasn’t won a playoff game in over a decade, so beating one of the top teams in the region would be a massive and historic upset.

The Raiders are still looking for the winning formula under third-year manager Breon Cox. This year’s redistricting didn’t do them any favors.

Oasis – Team Page

The Sharks might have the best chance to upset the Vikings in this district, but it won’t be an easy task by any means.

Sophomore Gabe Gair leads the team with 18 hits at the plate and with 47 strikeouts through 34 frames as a pitcher. His 2.68 ERA is equally impressive as his strikeout total.

Beating Clewiston seems very possible, but Bishop Verot might be too far ahead to overtake in this district. A regional appearance might still be possible with a runner-up finish in the district tournament, but Oasis is a bubble at-large candidate at best right now.

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