Class 3A, District 5 Semifinal: Berkeley Prep & Seffner Christian Advance

<p>Berkeley Prep and Seffner Christian will meet in Friday's Class 3A, District 5 Final at Berkeley Prep after winning its respective semifinals on Wednesday night.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/01/standouts-berkeley-prep-vs-seffner-christian/">The Buccaneers took down Seffner Christian late last month in a 57-42 victory</a> but the Crusaders played without 2021 guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/willie-jones/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/willie-jones/">Willie Jones</a></a> in that game.</p> <p>Results from the semifinals:</p> <h6>Berkeley Prep 72, Brooks DeBartolo 41</h6> <h6>Seffner Christian 63, Tampa Prep 47</h6> <p>Here is a look at the top notes from each game.</p> <p><strong>Berkeley Prep trio gets it done</strong></p> <p>42 of Berkeley Prep's 72 points came from three players alone in 2020 6'3" guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/varun-ajjarapu/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/varun-ajjarapu/">Varun Ajjarapu</a></a> </strong>(16 points), 2022 6'7" guard/forward <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cj-hawkins/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cj-hawkins/">CJ Hawkins</a></a> </strong>(15 points) and 2020 6'1" guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kegan-karnes/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kegan-karnes/">Kegan Karnes</a></a> </strong>(11 points). Ajjarapu, a Coast Guard signee connected on four 3's and was putting his stroke on display for much of the opening half. Hawkins did his usual stuff inside, working off feeds and creating for himself. His size and ballhandling ability are problems for defenses. Karnes had 11 points before exiting late in the third quarter with knee soreness, but I was told he will be okay for Friday's final. He is the top shooter, ballhandler and floor setter for the Buccaneers.</p> <p><strong>Trigg and Jones are too much for Tampa Prep</strong></p> <p>Having 2021 6'5" guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/willie-jones/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/willie-jones/">Willie Jones</a></a> </strong>back made an obvious difference for Seffner Christian as he was helping on and off the ball, hitting jumpers from the corner and getting to the cup often. The junior slashed his way to a 14-point performance and made life much easier for top piece 2021 6'6" guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mike-trigg/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mike-trigg/">Mike Trigg</a></a></strong>. Trigg had a team-high 15 points, drawing endless contact with his strength and length. He is a fine athlete who plays with endless grittiness and effort.</p> <p><strong>Reed and Livingston battle for Seffner Christian</strong></p> <p>Seffner Christian had some good complimentary basketball in this one. 2021 6' guard <strong>Isaiah Reed</strong> had 11 of his 14 points in the first half and was flying in transition. He is a finesse finisher and someone who has a ton of speed and playmaking ability. 2022 6'6" guard/forward <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tony-livingston/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tony-livingston/">Tony Livingston</a></a></strong> posted 11 points as he scored mostly off tip-backs and power finishes. </p> <p><strong>McKinney does what he can for Brooks DeBartolo</strong></p> <p>Even with the game in hand for Berkeley Prep from midway through the second quarter on, one Brooks DeBartolo player never stopped going 100 percent. 2020 6'4" guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-mckinney/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-mckinney/">Mason McKinney</a></a></strong> had a game-high 20 points, visiting the free throw line often in the fourth quarter. He's someone that has a good frame and skillset to him. A Division III/NAIA program would fare well looking in his direction.</p> <p><strong>Sharp flashes for Tampa Prep</strong></p> <p>Points were hard to come by for Tampa Prep but it was 2020 6'4" guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gabriel-sharp/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gabriel-sharp/">Gabriel Sharp</a></a></strong> who fittingly ended with a team-best 14 points in the final varsity game of his career. A scoring threat nightly with his mid-range and outside touch, he improved his game this season on the attack and kept his body in more control than ever. Sharp will get looks at the Division II/NAIA levels with his scoring prowess. 2021 guard <strong>Jakob Stiglich </strong>pitched in with 12 points of his own.</p>