Jones in 5A final after huge rally
LAKELAND - What a comeback. What a finish. Jones rallied from a 16-point deficit Wednesday to gut out a 57-56 overtime win against West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy in a wild Class 5A state semifinal.
The Tigers play for their first girls basketball state title since 2004 against Tallahassee Florida High on Saturday at 10 a.m. at The Lakeland Center.
It was the largest comeback of the season for the Tigers and the first time they had held an opponent scoreless in a quarter this year.
“The message was to get everything to the goal on offense and attack the rim,” Jones coach Robert Moultrie said of entering the final period. “On defense we just had to take it one possession at a time.”
Oxbridge Academy entered the fourth quarter shooting 49 percent from the field but was held scoreless throughout the remainder of regulation.
Jones sophomore Jamiya Turner drove to the basket and knocked in a shot off the backboard to tie the game at 47-47 with 55 seconds left in the fourth.
Chardell Jones, who finished with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds, gave the Tigers their first lead since a 2-0 start when she scored back-to-back baskets to open the overtime period.
Haley Howarth hit a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left in overtime to get Oxbridge to within 56-51.
Oxbridge cut Jones’ lead to 57-54 with 22 seconds left on a three by Nashani Gilbert-Taylor.
The Tigers missed four straight free throws and Oxbridge Academy drove for a layup on a fast break just before time expired to cut the lead to one point.
Jones trailed 37-21 early in the third quarter and 47-33 entering the fourth before going on to outscore Oxbridge 14-0 over the final eight minutes to force overtime.
Wildwood claims title
It didn’t happen overnight for Wildwood.
But when it did happen, the celebration got underway by sharing hugs and tears following the first state championship win in program history. The Wildcats finished state runners-up two years ago.
Wildwood knocked off Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 58-48 in the Class 1A girls basketball state final.
Jada Perry led all players with 25 points in a game that was played at a frantic pace in front of an enthusiastic crowd of supporters from both sides.
In a matchup that swayed back and forth much of the way, Wildwood took the lead for good at 31-29 on a 3-pointer by Ashtin Ingram early in the third quarter.
South Walton got within 54-48 with a minute remaining after trailing by as many as 12 points with a little more than three minutes left.
Edgewater plays today
A pair of starters from Edgewater’s state semifinal loss last season get a chance at redemption today.
Guard Keaynna Tolbert and center Emari Bell combined to shoot just 3-for-26 from the field when their 2015-16 season ended in Lakeland as sophomores.
They’ve since emerged as part of a core trio, alongside sophomore Eriana Taylor, during a surprise run through the postseason.
Edgewater takes on defending state champion Fort Myers in a Class 7A semifinal at 5 p.m. at The Lakeland Center.
The winner advances to Saturday’s title game at 8 p.m. against either Oakland Park Northeast or Fort Walton Beach.
Edgewater has plenty of experience at the state stage in recent years after winning three consecutive 6A titles from 2012-14.