Third-quarter blowout too much for Grandview Prep in 2A state semifinal

LAKELAND There will be no chance for a repeat for the Grandview Prep Pride.

A season of came to an end Monday two wins short of another state title.

The Pride fell to a team that reminded them of themselves – a fast, fundamentally sound, goodshooting Kissimmee City of Life squad in a 72-49 Monday at the RP Funding Center.

With the win, the Lady Warriors (20-5) will take on Ormond Beach Calvary Christian in the finals Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Tayler Wright scored 17 points, while Scarlett Anosier and Alexis Rome both added 12 for the Pride, whose season comes to an end at 22-7.

“It was tough one out there today,” said Grandview Prep coach Ian Clarke. “That’s a good team over there. They did what they had to do to beat us.”

It’s not that the Pride had a bad season. They were ranked second in Class 2A. City of Life, ranked No. 1 in 2A, played that much better, breaking the game open with a 28-9 third quarter.

A factor in the Pride wilting was the team has been battling with the flu and it sapped the energy of the players. The shooting of the Lady Warriors didn’t help either.

City of Life made 37 percent of its shots in the first half (10-of-27). But in the decisive third quarter, the Lady Warriors made 11-of-22 shots and led 57-30 heading into the final quarter.

Debra Buggs led all scorers with 24 points, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. The Lady Warriors made 10-of-21 3-pointers overall and 5-of-7 third quarter.

“They were on,” Buggs said. “We didn’t expect them to make those kind of shots. We expected one girl but it seemed like there was a barrage of 3’s that kept coming from people we didn’t expect.”

Although they worked to get to point, City of Life coach Dewrie Buggs was surprised at his team’s dominance.

“I’m super excited,” Buggs said. “My team came out and did exactly what we prepared for. Our job was to force the issue early on in the game and I think we did a good job of that.”

Meanwhile, the Pride will attempt to reload and get back again next season. One person who will not be there with is Alexis Romer, who ended her run with four appearances at the state tournament, including one title. in the