JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was almost a perfect night for area girls basketball teams in the state playoffs.
Bishop Kenny, Ponte Vedra, Providence and University Christian are all headed to the state semifinals after winning third-round games on Thursday night. The only local losing teams, San Jose Prep and North Florida Educational, only lost because they, too, played local teams.
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The Crusaders, No. 1 in the News4JAX Super 6 much of the season, knocked out visiting Rutherford 53-39 to win Region 1-4A. For Kenny, it marks the sixth consecutive trip to the state semifinals. Coach Will Mayer has taken the Crusaders to the final four the last three seasons and played for a championship last year against Lake Highland Prep.
In Region 1-3A, Providence, No. 2 in the Super 6, edged San Jose Prep 62-57 to win back-to-back region titles for coach Gigi Bistrow. The reward is a state semifinal against powerhouse Miami Country, a team that has beaten the Stallions in Lakeland twice (last year in the semis and 2017 in the final).
University Christian clipped host NFEI in Region 1-2A, getting a 3-pointer from eighth grader Kennedi Tatum with 7.8 seconds left to stun the Eagles 32-30. The Christians will face Evangelical Christian on Tuesday in Lakeland, another final four trip in a legendary and lengthy coaching career for veteran Keith Stroud. The longtime Christians coach notched career girls win No. 800 earlier this season. He led UC to a softball state championship last season.
Also moving on is Ponte Vedra, which went on the road to upset top-seeded Niceville 58-47 and reach the Class 5A state semifinals, the first for coach Jessica Spencer-Gardner. The Sharks will face unbeaten Bloomingdale on March 7.
Regional finals
Thursday’s results
Region 1-6A
(2) Ponte Vedra 58, (1) Niceville 57
Region 1-4A
(1) Bishop Kenny 53, (2) Panama City Rutherford 39
Region 1-3A
(1) Providence 62, (2) San Jose Prep 57
Region 1-2A
(2) University Christian 32, (1) North Florida Educational 30
State semifinals
Lakeland Center
Tuesday
Class 2A
University Christian (19-6) vs. Evangelical Christian (24-3)
Wednesday
Class 3A
Providence (26-2) vs. Miami Country Day (20-8)
Thursday
Class 4A
Bishop Kenny (25-4) vs. Sports Leadership & Management (23-3)
March 7
Class 6A
Ponte Vedra (22-8) vs. Bloomingdale (29-0)