WESTSIDE – With each win Fleming Island continues to make program history, another win also keeps moving them closer to Lakeland as well.
Ahead 43-42 late in the third, the Eagles went on a 9-0 run to take full control of the game in the 64-60 win over host Lee in the Region I-8A semifinals.
Lee held a 36-27 lead at the half, but saw Fleming Island quickly pick it apart with a 15-3 run to give the Eagles a 42-40 lead in the third.
The Generals (10-11) were led by Alex Fudge with 18 points, Christopher Capers 13, Teron Haywood 11, Ralph Mency 8 and Jerron Smith 8 points.
Fleming Island (21-2) was led by Sebastian Astor with 19 points and Khalid Pogue with 10 points.
Columbia 46, Gainesville 42
Down 42-34 with a little over three minutes left, Columbia needed a miracle to pull this one out.
A 12-0 run to close out the game allowed host Columbia to stun Gainesville 46-42 and send the Tigers to their first Elite 8 appearance since 2000.
Bobby Fulton converted both free throws with 4.9 second left to clinch the win. During the 12-0 run, Fulton nailed two three-pointers to spark the rally and finished with a team high 13 points.
Columbia (17-13) will remain at home for the third straight playoff game hosting Crestview (23-6) Friday in the Elite 8, with a spot in the Final Four at stake. A win would send the Tigers to their first Final Four since 1968.
Paxon 41, Bishop Kenny 37
Down 1 with less than 17 seconds left, Paxon had come to far to go home yet, instead a three-pointer with 9.2 seconds left put a dagger in visiting Bishop Kenny hopes of pulling an upset.
It definitely wasn’t easy as the Eagles saw a ten point lead at 32-22 going into the fourth quarter evaporate.
Paxon (24-3), who was led by Isiah Adams 25 points, will host Tallahassseee Rickards (21-3) Friday in the Elite 8 game. The Eagles will be looking to earn their first trip to the Final Four since winning their only state title back in 1968.
Palatka 61, Eastside 60
A back and forth game all night wasn’t decided until the closing seconds of the game, when Malik Beauford broke a 49-49 tie with 4.3 seconds left with a jumper to send Palatka to the Elite 8 for third consecutive year.
Palatka (25-4) will host Nature Coast (23-5) Friday in the Class 6A North 2-5A Regional final
University Christian 83, PK Yonge 63
North Florida Educational Institute 54, Calvary Christian 34
North Florida Educational Institute had little trouble with district rival Calvary Christian to advance to its fourth Final Four .
St. Johns Paul 88, Christ’s Church 55
Visiting St. John Paul II jumped on host Christ’s Church and never looked back in a run away in the Region I-3A final.
Crossroads Academy 52, Impact Christian 51
Impact Christian was seconds away from going to its second straight Final Four but a last second put back by Crossroads Academy send the Scorpions to their first ever trip to Lakeland.
Friday
8A: Fleming Island (20-2) at Lincoln (20-9)
7A: Crestview (23-6) at Columbia (17-13)
6A: Nature Coast (23-5) at Palatka (25-4)
6A: Rickards (21-3) at Paxon (24-3)
5A: Jackson (23-6) at Florida High (18-11)
FINAL FOUR
in Lakeland
Monday
NFEI (15-13) vs Schoolhouse Prep (20-10) , 4 p.m.
Thursday
University Christian (28-3) vs Westminster Academy (22-4), 10 a.m.
