EASTSIDE-It was suppose to be No. 1 seeded Parker and No. 4 seeded Ribault in one semi-final and No. 2 Jackson and No. 3 seeded Lee in the other semi-final; however Raines and Englewood made sure none of that would happen.
For the second straight game, the Raines Vikings knocked off one of the cities best public school teams, after knocking off No. 3 Lee in the quarterfinals, they knocked off No. 2 and host Jackson last night 56-52 to advance to the Gateway Conference title game.
Englewood upset No. 1 Parker in the quarterfinals, meaning only two of the top four seeds would advance to the semi-finals.
Early on it looked like Jackson would be playing on its home court Saturday night in the title game but Raines had other ideas.
A back and forth game in the first quarter quickly became a game of runs the rest of the game in a thrilling semifinal game.
A dunk by Trevon Laidler not only brought the packed crowd to its feet but also cut the Tigers lead to 22-21 early in the second quarter.
A three pointer by 15 put the Tigers ahead 25-21 but that was the last lead Jackson would have the rest of the night as the Vikings suffocating defense went to work.
Forcing multiple turnovers, the Vikings went on a 10-0 run to close out the first half with a 31-25 halftime lead.
Jackson came out in the third quarter with a 6-0 run to tie the game up at 31 all, however a 9-2 run by the Vikings gave them their biggest lead of the game at 40-33 thanks to easy back-to-back lay ups from Joshua Battle.
Raines carried a six point lead of 44-38 heading into the fourth, 8 minutes away from possibly playing arch-rival Ribault in the title game.
Dinish sank two free throws and Battle added a tip in giving the Vikings their biggest lead of the game at 48-38 with six minutes to go.
Jackson, coached by James Collins, made a run taking advantage of several Raines turnovers and turning them into several layups and easy transition baskets.
Bradley’s layup and free throw started the run as Knight followed with a layup, Bradley popped a jumper, Knox nailed a jumper and Bradley converted two more free throws during a 13-3 run cutting the lead to 51-49 with 3: 28 left in the game.
Curry three-pointer cut it to 53-52 but that as lose as they would get as the Vikings hit their free throws down the stretch to hold on to a 56-52 win over host Jackson.
The win sets up a showdown between arch-rivals Raines (14-7) and Ribault (15-6) tonight at 7 p.m. at Jackson for the Gateway Conference boys basketball title.
Something two weeks ago, little thought was possible for the Vikings after dropping around .500 but since have won five in a row.
“Us getting hot is primarily us playing a tough schedule and losing a lot of close game and now we are winning those close game,” Raines coach Charles Showers said. “The schedule has helped us grow and learn from our mistakes. We have also grown together as we worship together, eat together and attend church together, I also have a lot of smart kids, we have a 3.2 g.p.a.”
Showers also went on to say come from behind wins over Lee after being down 12 with four minutes to go, Fletcher and Palm Coast have helped them down this stretch as well.
Now in as many nights, the Vikings look forward to another challenge after having knocked off No. 2 Jackson, No. 3 Lee and now play No. 4 Ribault in the championship game.
“We are 0-2 against them this year and we just have to get over the fear of playing them,” Showers said.
Curry 12 points and Bradley 10 led the Tigers (15-7) in scoring, while Battle’s 24 points and Laidler’s 18 led the Vikings in scoring.
Ribault 72, Englewood 69
Dale Green Jr. three pointer at the buzzer hit the rim and rolled out allowing Ribault (15-6) to escape with the 72-69 win over Englewood in the first semi-final.
The Trojans were missing two players, including one of their top scorers Louis Dorsey, who was on a recruiting trip to Illinois.
With Ribault holding a slim one-point 34-33 lead at the half, both teams turned up the pressure on defense forcing several turnovers and sloppy play to start the third quarter.
As both offenses settled down they quickly began to heat up also as both teams traded three pointers back-to-back possessions as well.
The Trojans pulled ahead by seven late in the third quarter but the Rams wouldn’t go away as Jaylen Stevens nailed two three-pointers in the final minute to cut the lead to 53-52 going into the fourth quarter.
After Englewood took the lead seconds into the fourth, the Trojans responded as 5-2 point guard William Easton popped a jumper to tie it and Deatry Lang added a layup and a free throw to put the Trojans ahead 58-55 seconds later.
Lang and Ryan Wallace added easy layups breaking the Rams press to give the Trojans some breathing room and a 64-57 lead.
Back came the red hot Rams though as Edwards stole a pass and laid it up and Green made two free throws to tie at 64 all.
A bizarre play by Miles Wilson put the Trojans ahead 70-66 with 24.7 seconds left in the game giving the Trojans a comfortable lead. Wilson laid the ball up but the ball got stuck behind the rim, Wilson came down on the court and was able to jump up again and tip the ball in the net.
After a few seconds of discussion, the referees allowed the basket much to the dismay of the Rams coaches and fans.
However, the Rams (11-8) coached by longtime coach Jerry Battle wouldn’t go away, Edwards nailed another three pointer cutting the lead to 70-69 with 14.5 seconds left in the game.
Easton went to the line after being fouled and sank two free throws with 7.6 seconds left giving the Trojans a 72-69 lead.
The Rams had one final shot and quickly moved the ball up the court and into the hands of point guard Green who fired a three pointer from the left side of the court and watched it hit the rim and bounce out allowing Ribault to advance to the championship game.
Stevens led the Rams in scoring with 21 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds, while Green added 14, Devonte Render 16 and Naitalian Ealey 11.
Ryan Wallace 21 points, Lang 16 points, Wilson 10 points and Easton and Devon Matthews with 9 each led the Trojans in scoring.
