State Championships Review: Crowned Winners (Class 4A-7A)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A: Stranahan (25-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championship: Stranahan 63, Gibbs 62</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stranahan edged out Gibbs in a down-to-the-wire thriller, despite Gibbs shooting a staggering 77.8 percent from the field in the fourth quarter. The difference? Stranahan converted two crucial three-pointers in the final minutes, while Gibbs failed to hit a shot from beyond the arc in the closing stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Championship Standouts:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1660049' first='Christian' last='Yeargin'] led the way with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2294526' first='Damari' last='Foster'] contributed 18 points and a team-high 5 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='986956' first='David' last='Nealy'] added 11 points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbs fought hard, but Stranahan's clutch shot-making proved to be the ultimate separator in an instant classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A: Blanche Ely (20-9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championship: Blanche Ely 44, Ponte Vedra 38</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanche Ely claimed its ninth state title in school history, relying on defense and efficiency in a low-scoring, grind-it-out battle. With both teams struggling to reach 50 points, every free throw and productive possession became critical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2299686' first='Kaleb' last='Corbitt'] sealed the championship with a pair of clutch free throws in the closing moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Contributors:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2147102' first='Dylon' last='Hanna'], Jayden McNabb, [player_tooltip player_id='2306307' first='Jayelen' last='Jonas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1301706' first='Justin' last='Snell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2299686' first='Kaleb' last='Corbitt']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanche Ely's defensive intensity and poise in tight moments made the difference, adding another chapter to their storied program's legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A: St. Thomas Aquinas (30-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championship: St. Thomas Aquinas 71, Evans 63</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time since 2001, St. Thomas Aquinas is back at the top. Head coach Julius Sandi built a roster that blended size, shooting, and defensive toughness, and it all came together in this championship run. A breakout season from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2294524' first='Clarence' last='Westbrook'] Jr. gave the Raiders a true go-to scorer, and his leadership helped push this team over the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2294524' first='Clarence' last='Westbrook'] Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='1301736' first='Dwayne' last='Wimbley'] Jr. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a young core and renewed momentum, St. Thomas Aquinas could be a major contender for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 7A: Columbus 27-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championship: Columbus 68, Windermere 34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning kings of Florida basketball have done it again. Columbus secured its fourth straight state title, further cementing its dynasty. The addition of 6-6 junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1463303' first='Jaxon' last='Richardson'] and 6-8 national prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1660063' first='Caleb' last='Gaskins'] provided Columbus with even more versatility, but the backbone of the team remained the Boozer brothers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Championship Standouts:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer'] (Reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, dominant frontcourt force)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer'] (Elite senior playmaker)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->