The girls high school basketball season ended Saturday with a bit of a thud for Central Florida. Orlando-area private schools were the only two teams to reach Lakeland for the state championship in girls basketball with Lake Highland taking care of business in a big win in the 4A title.
Bishop Moore had its turn Saturday in the 5A state championship game, but lost to Jacksonville Ribault 60-37 after holding a 10-point lead in the first quarter but falling to the heavily favored team from Jacksonville.
Ribault was heavily favored coming into the game at 28-1 and had ample experience in the state championship game going up against the relative upstarts from Bishop Moore. The Hornets did not even win their district winning three road games to make the state final.
After taking a 15-5 lead, Bishop Moore trailed only 28-22 at the half. But the Hornets got no closer than five points as Ribault began pouring it on. Bishop Moore obviously struggled to score and get itself back into the game. Ribault eliminated Bishop Moore’s post game and the shooting was just not there.
Still it was a strong season for Bishop Moore and a trip to the state championship is certainly nothing to be ashamed about.
Orlando’s private schools had a good showing to get two in the state championship.
The boy’s high school basketball championships will descend next on Lakeland this weekend with games Friday and Saturday at the Lakeland Center.
Winter Park will take on Coral Springs in the 8A semifinal on Friday at 4 p.m. after Winter Park’s big win over Seminole on Thursday. The Wildcats have perhaps the best junior prospect in the area in Wyatt Wilkes.
Trinity Prep narrowly missed a trip to Lakeland in the 4A regional final, losing to Melbourne Holy Trinity on a missed buzzer beater at Trinity on Saturday.
Jasen West took a shot with about two seconds left that rimmed out to deliver Holy Trinity a 51-50 win to send Trinity’s senior-heavy squad to a defeat in a well-played game by both teams. Will Miles scored 12 of his team-14 points in the fourth quarter to give Trinity a good shot. The door was left open and the Saints just came one shot short of their first trip to Lakeland.
In Class 3A, First Academy will play Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Lakeland Center in the state semifinal. The Royals have been one of the better teams in the area throughout the season.
Windermere Prep will play Miami Archbishop Carroll after that game at approximately 8 p.m.
In Class 2A, Orlando Christian Prep will play Boca Raton Grandview Prep on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Lakeland Center.
It will certainly be a busy week for Orlando-area teams at the state championship games in Lakeland with ample representation.
