OCP returns with region title
Another year, another regional title for Orlando Christian Prep.
That’s seven straight for the Class 2A No. 1 Warriors with Friday’s latest trophy coming after a 62-41 win over No. 3 Victory Christian of Lakeland in the Region 2 final.
It’s the 26th consecutive postseason win for the 10-time state champion Warriors (24-3) and 47th in the last 48 regional games dating to 2009.
OCP was up 10 points late in the first half before draining three baskets in the final minute, capped by an offensive rebound and putback by Isaiah Sutherland at the buzzer.
That gave OCP a 34-18 halftime lead and Victory (25-6) never got closer than 15 points.
Victory’s top scorer, Lorenzo Cason, was held in check. The junior was in foul trouble much of the game, finishing with just 10 points, well under his 27.5 regular-season average.
“We made sure we were aware of where he was out there, doubleteam him and force him to make tough shots,” OCP coach Treig Burke said. “We knew it would be a tough game in the regional final because teams are always coming after us.”
Isaiah Brown led OCP with 16 points while Ameer Ramadan had 14 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Josh Theus added 12 points for the Warriors while Marc Angueki had 12 rebounds. Sutherland added 10 rebounds.
OCP, the top seed, will play a 2 p.m. state semifinal on Wednesday against No. 4 SLAM Academy (20-10) of Tampa. The championship game is set for Friday at 4:30 p.m. against either No. 2 Sagemont School (27-4) of Weston or No. 3 North Florida Educational Institute (22-8) of Jacksonville.
Steve Gorches