Jacksonville-The Duval County Middle School Basketball Championships are set, and what a road it’s been to get to this point. After three boys teams ( Jeff Davis, Mandarin, and Kirby Smith) navigated their divisions to win divisional crowns this year, one team ( Fletcher) had to play two games to settle their division tie. Fletcher would defeat Kernan,and then down Arlington both on the road, to win the Eastern division title. They joined Kirby Smith, Mandarin and Jeff Davis as playoff participants.
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Fletcher- 48 vs Jeff Davis -46
Fletcher built a commanding 18 point lead on Jeff Davis in their playoff game, shocking the Charger crowd on hand. Playing four games in four days seemed to enable Fletcher to start faster than Jeff Davis who had their division wrapped up weeks ago. The Senators kept their formula for success which was spacing and ball movement. They did not rush their shots, and they knew when to take good shots on the court. This paid off with #24 Seth Allen going off to lead all scorers in the game.
Fletcher punches their ticket to the big Dance! Senators defeat Jeff Davis 48-46 to advance to the championship! Fletcher will face winner of Kirby vs Mandarin tomorrow! Watch the Championship live on https://t.co/tfbHZBn9LJ! pic.twitter.com/iDZkZbUAS7
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) March 10, 2018
Jeff Davis was led by Kevin Odom who would respond in the second half. Odom was observed slicing through Fletcher defense, while Masiah Wells enforced the paint. Jeff Davis cut the lead to an 8 point disadvantage in the fourth period. They would claw to within four points in the game thanks to the plays of #3 Charles Thompson, but the Chargers missed a lone lay up after the steal which many believe was the difference in the contest. Said Coach Franklin Carter of Jeff Davis “they came out and executed and we missed some things on defense and misses some shots”. With the win, Fletcher advances to the Championship where they will meet Kirby Smith.
Mandarin-44 vs Kirby Smith- 48
The hands on favorite to win it all this season in boys middle school action is the Kirby Smith Comets. Kirby’s biggest challenge was the North division, after defeating 3-Peat champion Matthew Gilbert. The victory over the Panthers put the city on notice of how talented the team was, and how determined and focused they seem to be. That focus showed in their playoff game versus Mandarin Friday. Kirby Smith’s #3 Golden was the court general on offense and defense. His basketball I.Q is off the charts, which allows his teammates to trust him. He responded with the right pass or the right shot in the game at crucial moments. #5 Deven Smith drove to the basket with reckless abandoned breaking the tall trees from Mandarin down. He was also effective on defense along with #24 Gee, who seemed to be the enforcer on the court. It’s what allowed Kirby to jump out to a lead.
Kirby Smith defeats Mandarin 48-44 to advance to the Championship.@andreellis55 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/A7CqZFuZnI
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) March 10, 2018
Yet Mandarin would show why they were a good playoff team. Both teams were very unselfish with ball, working as a team. Mandarin shot well from the three point line, but Kirby Smith responded in kind. Mandarin stayed close in the game, matching the Comets blow for blow in their shooting. Mandarin’s offense ran through #5 Josh Swan and #3 Kylon Washington who shot well from the field. #2 Matthew Duong knocked down big three pointers to lift the hawks. A tight affair till the end built for lots of excitement, but Kirby prevailed in the end. Head Coach Antwon Lewey commented after the game, “I had 9 returning players who lost a big game last year, and returned hungry this year”. They are a very confident team from top to bottom and it shows with their play on the court. They will look to bring a championship home to Main Street on Saturday as they face Fletcher.
