JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Tocoi Creek girls basketball team is in the Class 6A state semifinals and will face Bloomingdale on Thursday in Lakeland. A look at the matchup.
Class 6A girls basketball state semifinals
Tocoi Creek (20-7) vs. Bloomingdale (23-5)
When: Thursday, 1 p.m.
Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland
Watch it: Game can be streamed on the NFHS Network. Cost applies for a monthly pass.
Winner gets: Steinbrenner or Southridge in the state championship game on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Road here: Tocoi Creek d. Winter Springs, 68-34; d. Lake Howell, 75-69; d. Niceville, 53-47; Bloomingdale d. Viera, 66-23; d. Bayside, 60-31; d. Horizon, 73-51.
Glance: The fourth-year Toros, much like the Tocoi Creek boys team, had never been to the playoffs prior to this season. They took care of that streak with an amazing postseason run that has included two tight games and some tough finishes. Junior Audrey Beyer has been the big name for the Toros, surpassing the 1,000 career point mark this year. She’s averaging 19.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg while shooting 50% from the field. PG Gabi Iturralde has been steady for her two seasons in the program. She’s at 13.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 4.8 assists per game. F/C Asiana McCreary, a transfer from Bartram Trail, has bolstered the Tocoi Creek game in the paint. She’s averaging 9 points and 5.2 rpg. Head coach Jason Hughes is a familiar name, but he made his name on the coaching circuit on the boys side, most recently as the leader at Bolles before coaching as an assistant with Providence. Hughes said that he’s tried to remind players that they’re making history each time out and to appreciate what they’ve accomplished during a history-making season.
