3A State Semifinal: St. John Paul II stifles First Baptist with its defense

<p>LAKELAND - In a matchup with two Final Four first timers, Tallahassee St. John Paul II used a stifling defense to wear down Naples First Baptist and earn a 55-37 win in the Class 3A state semifinal.</p> <p>Leading by just one point at halftime, 24-23, the Panthers (26-5) held First Baptist to only 14 second half points as it was a fine display of basketball from the victory team.</p> <p>The Lions (24-5) led by five points early in the second quarter for its biggest lead, but St. John Paul II made a really nice push right before halftime and some true second half adjustments.</p> <p>Now St. John Paul II will face the winner of Orlando Christian Prep/Jupiter Christian on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. for a chance to win a state title. Orlando Christian Prep has won two straight state championships.</p> <p>All five starting players for the Panthers did their part, combining for each and every one of the 55 points on the night.</p> <p>2019 forward Allan Jeanne-Rose was effective despite seeing a lot of double teams with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Fellow 2019 forward Chosen Levarity had nine points and 10 rebounds (including eight on defense).</p> <p>The two biggest x-factors for the Panthers were 2020 guard Tyreke Mcelwain (17 points) and 2019 guard Logan Roberts (nine points). Mcelwain knocked down four triples that gave his side a ton of energy and he credited unselfishness of his offense and the focus on Jeanne-Rose and Levarity from the defense giving him open looks. The junior had six points in the first half with one 3-pointer going down, so his second half output was crucial.</p> <p>Roberts was superb from start to finish with nine points, five rebounds and three assists. The other starter, 2020 guard Patrick Copenhaver had some bright moments as an attacker with his floater game, ending with eight points.</p> <p>St. John Paul II head coach Titus Nixon credited his defense endlessly in the postgame press conference.</p> <p>"We obviously extended our defense, threw a little zone pressure in the first half," he told Prep Hoops. "Our guys up top in the 2-2-1 were unbelievable and I think it wore them out."</p> <p>As for the nervousness from him or his players coming into their very first state trip, Nixon had this to say.</p> <p>"All of us have been so laser focused. I'm a very happy guy. I like to enjoy the good things in life. After the districts, I was like 'what is next?' and after regionals, I asked the same thing," he said. "I've asked them to trust me and trust each other. This has been a fun ride and a brotherhood and it has been too great to not extend to Tuesday night."</p> <p>For First Baptist, the Lions put up a true fight in the first half and foul trouble to 2020 forward Peyton Urbancic and an ankle injury to 2019 forward Trevor Tracy really limited the scope of the team. It forced 2019 guard Preston Urbancic (13 points) to do even more than usual.</p> <p>He admitted after the game that St. John Paul II's defense was stifling in the second half but he also said that he was able to earn looks and he has to make them whether they are good looks or not. Urbancic is a very good leader and someone who will be playing college ball at the next level in the fall for sure.</p> <p>First Baptist head coach Scott Stewart said that his group had a solid game plan coming into the game, but the injury to Tracy (who played through it) really limited any inside game for his offense. Although, Stewart expressed how happy he was for First Baptist to get over the hump after playing in five straight regional finals and not winning. </p> <p>Stewart gave a ton of credit to the Panthers defense and was not happy with the result, but happy for what the state trip can do for his program.</p>