5A State Final: Nationally-ranked University School repeats
LAKELAND — University School became just the fifth different Broward County program to win back-to-back boys state basketball championships Thursday with a 72-46 rout of Jacksonville Andrew Jackson in the Class 5A finals at RP Funding Center. The Sharks (27-4),…
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Continue ReadingLAKELAND — University School became just the fifth different Broward County program to win back-to-back boys state basketball championships Thursday with a 72-46 rout of Jacksonville Andrew Jackson in the Class 5A finals at RP Funding Center.
The Sharks (27-4), ranked No. 10 nationally in the BallIsLife Fab 50, No. 12 by MaxPreps and No. 22 USA Today, now wait to see if they will be invited back to GEICO Nationals. University School polished off Villages Charter, 91-53, in Wednesday’s semifinals to become the first squad in at least 10 years to win three consecutive games at the state tournament by 35-or-more points.
The other four Broward boys basketball programs to win back-to-back state titles are Blanche Ely, Dillard, Westminster Academy and Pine Crest.
“I think our future is exceptionally bright, just because of the guys that we have and knowing how hard they’re going to work,” University School coach Jim Carr said. “We should be back here for many years to come. This is our only goal, the state championship.”
Junior Jace Howard led University School with 17 points and 6 rebounds. 2020 national prospect Scottie Barnes and fellow junior Roger McFarlane added 13 points apiece.
The Sharks played both final four contests without 6-foot-10 senior All-American Vernon Carey Jr. The Duke signee injured an ankle in the regional final victory over Westminster Christian and his right foot is in a boot.
University School was one of three Broward County schools to bring home the hardware Thursday. Westminster Academy won its third consecutive Class 4A state title and Stranahan won its first 6A state title in school history. The last time Stranahan had been at the final four was 1959.
University School went 33-2 a season ago, winning the 5A title and going all the way to the finals of GEICO Nationals in New York City where the Sharks lost to No. 1 Montverde Academy.
This one was never in doubt.
University School led 17-10 after one quarter and 35-21 at the half. The Sharks put the final nail in the coffin, holding Andrew Jackson to 4 points in the third period to take a commanding 52-25 lead. University School unloaded its bench with about 3 minutes to play.
Davin Daniels led Andrew Jackson (25-7) with 9 points.
University School shot 26 of 48 from the field (54 percent) and forced 18 Andrew Jackson turnovers.
“We didn’t play our game,” Andrew Jackson coach James Collins said. “We tried to play their game. And anytime you’re playing someone else’s game, they’re better at it than you.”
The Sharks’ only losses this season came to Philly Imhotep Charter and IMG Academy at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers; vs. Sierra Canyon (Calif.) in Oregon; and to Sunrise (Kan.).
“This is a great group of kids,” Carr said. “They haven’t lost a district game in two years. They haven’t lost a regional game in two years. They haven’t lost to a true Florida state high school association team in two years. They’ve really done some special things.”
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via text at 954-661-9671.