JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A glance at the Class 4A boys basketball state semifinals in Lakeland.
Class 4A boys basketball state semifinals
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Jackson (25-3) vs. Villages Charter (20-11)
Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland
When: Thursday, 3 p.m.
Watch it: Game can be streamed through the NFHS Network. Cost is $11.99 for a monthly pass.
Winner gets: North Broward Prep or St. Petersburg Gibbs in the Class 4A state championship on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Glance: Will this be the year for coach James Collins and the Tigers? Collins, a Jackson High graduate, won a state championship as a senior in 1993. He also earned the Mr. Basketball honor and remains one of the most revered players in area history. As a coach, Collins has put his imprint on his alma mater and built a program that has become a consistent visitor to Lakeland. Jackson reached the championship game under Collins in 2019, 2020 and 2022. It reached the final four in 2021. G Ronald Durham (12.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is the big name for the Tigers. But like so many other Collins-coached teams, depth is what makes Jackson special. G/F Jaylen Dopson (9.9 ppg) and Albert Laguerre (8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg) are right behind, but this team runs eight players deep most nights. Jackson has five state championships, tied with now-defunct Arlington Country Day for most by an area team.