St. Thomas, Seminole Ridge advance to regional finals
Maya Williams hit three of four free throws in the final 17 seconds as St. Thomas hung on to beat Ely 57-53 in a wild game in the Class 6A regional semifinals.
Alancia Ramsey, who was forced to sit most of the first half due to foul trouble, scored all 10 of her points in the second half, while Jada Green had 15 points, including three 3-pointers for the Raiders (24-4).
“I’m so proud of our girls. We faced a lot of adversity throughout the course of the game,” St. Thomas coach Oliver Berens said. “Our girls stayed, stayed poised, they stayed composed and made the big plays when it counted. They closed the game and that’s what this team is all about.”
St. Thomas had a 47-41 lead with four minutes to play, but Ely scored nine points behind the play of Laketrice Peterson and Michiyah Simmons, to give Ely a 50-48 lead with three minutes remaining.
Ely then took a 52-49 lead after Simmonshitalayupwith2:42remaining, but Reina Green answered with a huge 3-pointer for St. Thomas to tie the game with 2:23 left.
Ramsey then followed with two free throws, while the Raiders defense held Ely without a field goal in the final two minutes for the victory.
The season ends in heartbreak for the Tigers (18-9), who lost three times to St. Thomas this season by nine total points, falling 45-44 and 43-39 previously.
St. Thomas advances to the regional finals where it will face Seminole Ridge on Friday at 7 p.m. — J. Darin Darst
Seminole Ridge rallies to win
The Seminole Ridge girls basketball
team is heading to the regional finals for the first time in school history.
Senior guard Ashley Thornton had a game-high 20 points and hit two go-ahead free throws with 31 seconds left as the host Hawks rallied past Everglades 61-57 in a Class 6A regional semifinal
Seminole Ridge (16-1) will play at St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday at 7 p.m. with a berth in the state semifinal on the line.
Seminole Ridge, which is ranked No. 4 in Class 6A and No. 17 in the state, erased a double-digit first-quarter deficit.
“It’s a really big deal and these girls have worked hard,” Seminole Ridge coach Maria Hudson said. “We are short on bodies and to do it with six is amazing and a great feeling. It’s important to have great leadership. I knew Ashley was going to carry us. She did not want this to be the end. The freshmen really stepped up. They just wanted it.”
Seminole Ridge trailed 53-50 with 3:42 left. Freshman Jayla Midget scored four straight points to give the Hawks a one-point lead.
“I am glad to help and be a big part of it,” Midget said. “I am so happy and it feels good for our team to get this win.”
Everglades (18-8) senior forward Gloryn Letlow tied the score at 57 on a drive to the basket with 34 seconds left.
Thornton was fouled after the inbounds pass and connected on two free throws to give the Hawks the lead.
“It’s win or go home and it’s my senior year,” Thornton said. “I was just locked in. We practice these situations and I was ready. It’s the best feeling and very special.”
Letlow was unable to convert at the free throw line with 12 seconds left.
Junior forward Kiori Butler hit two free throws to seal the victory for the Hawks.
Freshman guard Janiah Suprius scored 15 points in the victory. Iasiah Suprius and Midget both added 11 points.
“It means a lot to make an impact for the team,” Janiah Suprius said. “I had confidence in our team and it’s really exciting.”
Junior forward Uniyah Franklin had a team-high 19 points for the Gators. Sophomore forward Tyra Blye registered 15 points and senior guard Iesha Rhodin added eight.