By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Here are summaries of the regional semifinal matchups:

First-round results:  BOYS | GIRLS

Second-round results:  BOYS | GIRLS

TOURNAMENT BRACKETS

WEST REGIONAL

Chandler AZ 86, Boise ID 55

After advancing to the tournament final in each of the first three years of the event, Chandler was unceremoniously eliminated by California state champion Buchanan High in the round of eight in 2019. But after capturing a 14th state title in the past 15 finals, the Arizona Division 1 champion Wolves made sure it didn’t happen for a second time, relying on a 38-16 advantage in the field events to pull away from Boise, the first Idaho team in either gender to reach the regional semifinals. Although Chandler’s strength in the 100, 200 and 400 meters was offset by Boise’s depth in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200, it was the ability of senior Erykah Garrett to win both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles and the Wolves prevailing in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays that created enough of an advantage that allowed the versatility in the field events to make the difference. Senior Sheena Cumberbatch doubled up in the long jump and triple jump, leading a sweep in the latter for Chandler, with Indiana signee Makayla Hunter capturing the discus throw and shot put for the Wolves to also help shut out Boise in those events as well. Ashlyn Hutchinson prevailed in the high jump for Chandler, with Ani Smith leading a pole vault for Boise, who also secured the 4x800 relay. Junior Trinity Henderson shined again in the 100 and 200, along with placing second to teammate Jocelyn Johnson in the 400. Logan Smith, Jamie Hamlin and Lydia Nance swept the 800, with Samantha Smith, Allie Bruce and Gonzaga commit Rosina Machu dominating in the 1,600 and 3,200 for Idaho 5A winner Boise.

Buchanan CA 81, DeSoto TX 55

Although Buchanan had to wait an extra year because of the pandemic to earn a rematch with 6A state champion DeSoto after suffering a 73.5-62.5 setback in the 2019 regional final, the opportunity was well worth the wait for the Bears, who fueled their return to the final four by accumulating an exceptional 45-9 advantage in the field events. It marked the first time in tournament history DeSoto had not reached the final four after winning the event two years ago and losing to Chandler High of Arizona in the regional final each year from 2016-18. Buchanan earned an uncontested sweep in the pole vault, but the Bears relied on Columbia commit Helen Chu, Maddie Passmore and Nina Navarette to take the top three spots in the triple jump, along with New Mexico signee Lauren Fowler winning the long jump and junior Hannah Butler prevailing in the high jump. Chinyere Egbuziem, a junior, continued to demonstrate her value to the Buchanan lineup with victories in the discus throw and shot put, with seniors Jazlyne Kirkman and Fresno State commit Maria Lawson providing significant points with second-place finishes in the throwing events. DeSoto relied again on Ja’Era Griffin to win the 100 and 200, holding off Fowler in both events, along with USC commit Jalaysi’ya Smith knocking off Fresno State-bound Alexa Dandridge in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. But the distance depth of sophomores Sydney Sundgren and Grace Hutchison, in addition to Fresno State signee Morgan Hutchison, helped the 11-time Central Section champion Bears overcome their deficits in the sprints, hurdles and relays in order to advance.

EAST REGIONAL

Miami Northwestern FL 81, Hoover AL 69

With DeSoto High of Texas losing in the regional semifinals this year, following a setback in the round of eight by Chandler High of Arizona in 2019, Miami Northwestern became the only program in either gender in tournament history to reach the final four for a fifth time. Hoover was looking to achieve a similar stellar run to its boys team, which won the event in 2018 and reached the final in 2019, but wasn’t able to overcome a 19-point deficit in the track events to achieve a rally, despite earning an uncontested sweep in the pole vault. Miami Northwestern, a 17-time Florida 3A champion, relied heavily on junior Aaliyah Butler, who responded with a sweep of the 100, 200 and 400 meters, along with contributing to a 4x400 victory. Although Hoover had South Florida signee Chakiya Plummer win the 300-meter hurdles, the Bulls produced a big momentum shift when seniors Jaylah Milfort and Breanna Moss, along with freshman Shakynah Tresvant, swept the 100 hurdles. Tresvant also rose to the occasion by achieving wins in the long jump and triple jump, with juniors Me’Kayla Rothmiller and Janist Daniel capturing the shot put and javelin throw, respectively, for Miami Northwestern. Senior Le’nai Hunter also came through with a big victory in the 800, in addition to contributing to 4x400 and 4x800 triumphs for the Bulls, as Hoover swept both the 1,600 and 3,200, led by senior Lauren Wallace. Hoover, which secured the 4x100, received a discus triumph and second-place finishes in the javelin and shot put from senior Taniyah Thomas, as well as senior Kayla Jemison leading a high jump sweep for the Buccaneers. Jemison also placed second in the triple jump and third in the long jump for 7A champion Hoover, which became the first girls team from Alabama to advance to the round of eight.

St. Thomas Aquinas FL 93, Union Catholic NJ 57

Following a humbling 89-47 setback to Western Branch High of Virginia in its first appearance in the regional semifinals in 2018, Florida 4A winner St. Thomas Aquinas has responded in impressive fashion in the round of eight in 2019 and again this year, both times at the expense of Union Catholic, which lost for the fourth time in event history with an opportunity to advance to the final four. The Raiders prevailed 80-56 in their first matchup two years ago and looked even stronger in returning to the final four this time around. Union Catholic, the Non-Public A winner in New Jersey group competition, managed only a win from sophomore Kaleigh Gunsiorowski in the 1,600 meters and another victory in the 4x800 relay, as St. Thomas Aquinas held a 67-20 advantage in the track events. The Vikings did benefit from an uncontested sweep in the triple jump and had Daniela Peralta, Autumn Barge and Anastasia Rengifo take the top three spots in the javelin, in addition to junior Jada Mia Puryear winning the shot put and placing second in the discus throw, as well as senior A’Liyah Thomas capturing the high jump and taking third in the long jump. Freshman Lauren Thomas secured the discus victory and placed second in the shot put, with sophomore Jelan Cottrell earning the pole vault triumph for the Raiders. North Carolina signee Eddiyah Frye won the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump, with Coastal Carolina commit Alexis Glasco doubling up in the 100-meter dash and 300 hurdles for St. Thomas Aquinas, which also received individual victories from freshman Lindsey Duffner, sophomore Cha’iel Johnson and junior Endeyah Lane, in addition to securing wins in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays to establish another showdown of Florida powers in the regional final against 3A champion Miami Northwestern.