Arlington- All year these two teams have been the best in their divisions. Kirby Smith led by #21 Jasmine Jackson dethroned Highlands as back to back champions defeating the Wildcats twice this season. While Arlington led by #3 Kiana Wilson and #2 Janell Johnson swept their division to advance to the post season. Many believed this was the “championship before the championship” as they featured the match up everyone wanted to see. The game certainly lived up to the hype, as Kiana Wilson scored 13 points to lift the Vikings to a 28-27 victory.
Arlington(13-0) jumped out to a 21-10 halftime lead over Kirby. Janell Johnson (7pts ) frustrated ball handlers on defense as Arlington held Kirby scoreless in the second quarter. A 13-10 score in the first period ballooned when Arlington went on an 8-0 run in the 2nd period. It was the first time all season the Comets were held scoreless in a period. However, they would respond like a meteor shower in the second half. Led by Jasmine Jackson, Kirby chopped the lead down to 26-19 at the end of the third. In the fourth, the Comets pulled to within two points of the Vikings 26-24 with less than a minute to play. Arlington would hit two free throws to up the advantage to 28-24. Kirby nailed a three pointer to pull within one point, yet time expired as the Comets were without a timeout ending the game and Kirby’s (12-1) season.
With the victory, Arlington advances to the Duval County Middle School Girls Basketball Championship game to face Mandarin Saturday at 7:00pm. The game will be broadcasted live on DuvalSports.com via the NFHS Network powered by the Varsity Sports Network.
