Jacksonville Fl- Rickards returned to Jacksonville and the Regional Finals, for the second year in a row. Their loss in the Class 6A Regional Finals to Paxon in 2019, motivated them to work harder in the off-season in hopes of getting another shot in 2020. Well that shot came when they traveled back down I-10 to face another Jacksonville team The Lee Generals. This time for the right to go to the Class 5A State Semifinals.
As the #1 seed, Lee possessed a 23-4 record as Head Coach Stephen Jenkins led his team on a march toward Lakeland. #2 Rickards (18-7) Coached by Eli Bryant, didn’t posses the shiny looking record, but they did posses experience in big games. Two great coaches squaring off in a gym that once housed one of the greatest High School Football Coaches in the nation, Corky Rogers. His former team honored him, before the start of the game playoff game.
Corky Rogers passes away at 76
Rickard’s experienced showed early as the Raiders jumped out to an 8-0 lead thanks to the hot shooting of Zachary White. White’s pull up jumpers tallied 6 points in the first quarter, as he and his team led early.
Lee on the other hand would struggle, as no-one could hit a shot early on. The Generals missed their first six shots of the game. Finally an offensive rebound by #5 Teron Haywood got them on scoreboard midway through the first quarter. It was just what the doctor ordered as the shot boosted the offense for Lee as they closed the quarter on a 6-0 run. Haywood scoring 6 points in the quarter. Still Rickards led 13-10.
In the second quarter, Rickards would hammer down on defense, creating steals by anticipating passing lanes. They frustrated Lee with their length and size. Something many teams have not been able to do all year. #5 Ke’Varius Taylor knocked down shots scoring 5 of his 8 first half points in the 2nd.
The Raiders closed out the half with plays on both ends of the court. After #10 A’Drelin Robinson knocked down a 20 foot jumper, his teammate Zachary White would get a steal and lay-in as the buzzer sounded. Rickards took a 36-21 lead into halftime.
The second half saw Lee make a furious comeback galvanized by #4 Marsalis Murphy. Murphy scored 4 points to kickoff the quarter. It ignited his teammates as #1 Jarrion Smith made lay-ups down low. Smith would score 6 points in the quarter. #12 Deandre Devaughn would hit two 3-pointers and Alex Fudge would hit two back to back as Lee erased a 15 point lead heading to the fourth.
Lead 46-41 going into the 4th quarter, Rickards attempted to protect their lead by slowing down the offense. However, Lee used their quickness by their guards to generate turnovers and fast break points. Fudge scored 6 points in the fourth quarter for Lee, but they could not stop Robinson who scored 8 of his 13 points in the quarter. Lee attempted to hit the big 3-pointer to cut into the late lead by Rickards but the shots just didn’t fall at home. Rickards would successfully hit their free throws down the stretch and take home the 64-55 win.
With the win, Rickards returns to the State Semifnals. Two years ago they fell to Leesburg in the Class 6A State championship game. They hope their experience and toughness can propel them over the top this year. Said Zachary White “Last time I was a sophomore, but now I’m a senior, its’ our time now”.
As for Lee, their great season came to an end just short of a trip to Lakeland. They can hold their heads high knowing that they represented their school and the area with pride, taking it all the way to the Regional Finals, a step closer than last year’s loss in the regional semifinals. Alex Fudge, Jarrion Smith, and Terron Haywood are all juniors who will look to return next year for Coach Jenkins.
Scoring Leaders:
Rickards: Zachary White 18 points , Ke’Varius Taylor 18 points, A’Drelin Robinson 13 points.
Lee: Deandre Devaughn 15 points, Alex Fudge 15 points, Jarrion Smith 13 points
