JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Four area teams, including first-timers Bolles, North Florida Educational Institute, and Tocoi Creek, are bound for the girls basketball state semifinals in Lakeland.
Bolles finally broke its Rutherford hex, beating the Rams 52-38 to win Region 1-3A and reach its first state semifinal. The Bulldogs (24-5) had been knocked out of the playoffs three straight seasons by Rutherford. This time, Bolles and head coach Kelly Stevenson are Lakeland-bound. Stevenson won a state championship as a player at Nease in 1999. Now, she’ll try and win one as a coach. Bolles will face Somerset Academy-Canyons on Feb. 28 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
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In Region 1-4A, Rickards ended Bishop Kenny’s six-year stranglehold in the region, upsetting the Crusaders 39-31. Kenny (25-5) had reached the state semifinals every season since 2019.
Tocoi Creek is headed to the state final four for the first time, beating Niceville 53-47 to win Region 1-6A. The Toros had never even reached the playoffs before this season but are now one of the four best in Class 6A. The Toros (20-7) will face Bloomingdale on March 6.
Providence is headed to its third consecutive state semifinal after beating San Jose Prep 64-41 to win Region 1-2A. The Stallions (23-6), led by one of the winningest coaches in area history, Gigi Bistrow, face Holy Trinity Episcopal on Feb. 27.
Lady Stallions basketball headed back to the Final Four with a 64-41 win in the regional final! pic.twitter.com/7tA6MpT3PH
— Providence School (@provschool) February 22, 2025
North Florida Educational Institute lost at the finish in last year’s regional final on a 3-pointer from the corner. The Eagles didn’t let it get that close this year. NFEI raced past Eagle’s View 51-19 to win Region 1-1A and reach the state semifinals for the first time. NFEI (19-12) will face Central Florida Christian Academy on Feb. 25. Head coach Tony Bannister has been to Lakeland before. He won the Class 1A state championship in 2006 with Shekinah Christian before moving to Potter’s House and guiding the Lions into a national power.
Regional finals all games Feb. 21
Region 1-6A
(1) Tocoi Creek 53, (2) Niceville 47
Region 1-4A
(2) Rickards 39, (1) Bishop Kenny 31
Region 1-3A
(1) Bolles 52, (2) Rutherford 38
Region 1-2A
(1) Providence 64, (3) San Jose Prep 41
Region 1-1A
(1) NFEI 51, (2) Eagle’s View 19
State semifinals
at RP Funding Center, Lakeland
Class 6A
Tocoi Creek (20-7) vs. Bloomingdale (23-5), March 6, 1 p.m.
Class 3A
Bolles (24-5) vs. Somerset Academy-Canyons (20-7), Feb. 28, 9 a.m.
Class 2A
Providence (23-6) vs. Holy Trinity Episcopal (22-6), Feb. 27, 9 a.m.
Class 1A
NFEI (19-12) vs. Central Florida Christian Academy (21-8), Feb. 25, 5 p.m.
Rural class
Holmes County (25-2) vs. Hilliard (18-8), Feb. 26, 5 p.m.
