TAMPA – The King’s Academy Lions (27-1) traveled three-and-a-half hours to Riverview in order to face the Bell Creek Academy Panthers (24-5) in the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 2 semifinals.
King’s defeated Bell Creek 66-64 in a close back and forth affair.
The Lions were led in scoring by Javian Jones (’25) with 22 points.
The Panthers were led in scoring by Neli Falconer (’23) with 18 points.
The Lions traveled deep into hostile enemy territory last night (Feb. 21). From warmups to the final buzzer, the Panthers student section was packed, loud, and rowdy in support of their team.
As soon as the game started, everyone around knew it was going to be a great game. The Panthers held a narrow 20-18 lead over the Lions at the end of the first quarter.
King’s was led in scoring by Jermaine Council (’24), James Shoenfelt (’23) and Jones, who had five points each. Bell Creek was led in scoring by Jermal Jones (’26) with seven points.
The Lions fought the entire second quarter to obtain a one-point lead over the Panthers. Going into halftime, The King’s Academy led Bell Creek, 35-34.
Jones led the Lions in scoring this quarter with eight points. Falconer and Ben Walker (’23) led the Panthers with six points each.
Entering the second half, the Lions knew they had to extend their lead against this talented Panthers team. The deadly duo of Jones and Council sparked the scoring run that King’s needed.
Council led the team this quarter with 11 points, while Jones put up another nine points. Ransom Soles (’24) got in on the action too, hitting two clutch three-point shots this quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, King’s Academy had a more comfortable lead over Bell Creek, 53-48.
Bell Creek was led in scoring by Caleb Saunders (’25) with 10 points.
As the game was coming to a close, Bell Creek was able to sneak back into this game. With under 10 seconds remaining, the score was 66-64 TKA, and Bell Creek was driving down the court.
A layup would send this game to overtime. As everyone in the stands watched from the edge of their seats, the Lions held the Panthers to two missed layups as time expired.
The Lions will now advance to the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 2 final, where they will travel to Orlando to face Windermere Prep (22-7) on Friday, Feb. 24. The tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
OTHER REGIONAL SEMIFINAL RESULTS: PALM BEACH COUNTY
6A-REGION 4: No. 1 seed Dwyer 75, No. 4 seed Miami Southridge 66
Next opponent for Dwyer (26-1): 6A-Region 4 final at home vs. No. 3 seed Pembroke Pines Charter (16-10)
Regional final date: Friday, Feb. 24
Regional final tip-off time: 7 p.m.
Location: Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens
7A-REGION 2: No. 3 seed Oak Ridge 79, No. 2 seed Lake Worth 64
Season ends for Lake Worth (22-2)
Photo gallery credit: Chuck Bethel
5A-REGION 4: No. 3 seed Miami Norland 65, No. 2 seed Suncoast 64
Season ends for Suncoast (22-6)
4A-REGION 4: No. 3 seed North Broward Prep 75, No. 7 seed Somerset Academy Canyons 58
Season ends for Somerset Academy Canyons (20-7)
3A-REGION 2: No. 1 seed Windermere Prep 63, No. 5 seed Benjamin 35
Season ends for Benjamin (16-11)
2A-REGION 4: No. 3 seed Dade Christian 44, No. 2 seed Jupiter Christian 40
Season ends for Jupiter Christian (22-4)
PHOTO CREDITS: Chuck Bethel and Christian Proscia
