Breeze: Jupiter Christian flies by Miami Christian

JUPITER – This one was relatively easy.

Aside from a 9-9 tie midway through the first quarter, it was all about No. 2 seed Jupiter Christian in its Class 2A-Region 4 quarterfinal matchup last night (Feb. 16) against No. 7 seed Miami Christian.

Led by big man Collin Paul (22 points), the Eagles (22-3) flew by the Victors (15-11 final record) in their 76-53 home win.

Paul’s presence was all over the court on both offense and defense, as he showed his ability to impact the game with and without the ball.

Shortly after Jupiter Christian took a 24-13 lead over Miami Christian to start the second quarter, Paul’s prowess was on full display.

Jupiter Christian’s Collin Paul (No. 12) overpowers a Miami Christian defender during the FHSAA Class 2A-Region 4 semifinal round. He would go on to lead all scores with 22 points in his team’s 76-53 home win over Miami Christian on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Photo credits: Alex Peterman

Also coming though in his own way was fellow Eagles standout Conner Hoffman (15 points). He scored several of his points in the second and third quarters of this one.

One of those impact moments happened with 6:29 left in the second quarter. His layup gave Jupiter Christian a 31-13 lead at the point.

MAKE OFF A MISS: Watch this finish by @10ConnerHoffman (15 points) during the first half for @EAGLEJCS as he puts in the work vs. @MCSVictors last night.@PBCBBallForum @Alex_Peterman @JAugustin31 @Mattgocrazy23 @aidan_walker2 pic.twitter.com/BfWyibGUJ4
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) February 17, 2023

Meanwhile, Eagles senior Jeremiah Augustin (17 points) had his own slew of breakout moments in this game.

A key play occurred with less than 20 seconds left in the first half, when Augustin’s layup gave Jupiter Christian a 39-22 lead that would hold until the buzzer.

GOING INTO HALFTIME: @JAugustin31 banks a lay-in here to give @EAGLEJCS a 39-22 lead over @MCSVictors at the 19.5 sec. mark of the first half that would hold at the buzzer.

Rebound by @Mattgocrazy23 at start of clip.@PBCBBallForum @Alex_Peterman @10ConnerHoffman @aidan_walker2 pic.twitter.com/r3qHDy5D1v
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) February 17, 2023

Jupiter Christian head coach Tavarus Harris spoke on his team’s fast start in the first half.

“We hang our hats on our defense,” Harris said. “So we come out and do that and get ourselves going. As our defense picks up throughout the game and starts to roll on people, our offense starts to flow naturally.”

The second half was one in which Jupiter Christian’s lead kept steadily growing.

Led mainly by Paul in the pivotal third quarter, the Eagles would go on to outscore the Victors by a margin of 22-10 for a 61-32 lead.

Jupiter Christian’s Collin Paul (No. 12) hustles his way in the paint as he tries to get past a Miami Christian defender on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2022 at the Jupiter Christian School gymnasium in Jupiter, Fla.

Photo credits: Alex Peterman

The fourth quarter was one that would see Jupiter Christian making sure to keep Miami Christian at bay as far as possible.

As a result, Jupiter Christian will move on to the Class 2A-Region 4 semifinal round next week.

“You have to be more disciplined and structured,” Harris said about the regional playoff rounds. “You have to have way more balance in order to excel. I think we did that tonight We’re gonna continue to do that.”

NEXT OPPONENT: No. 3 seed Dade Christian (22-5) at home; Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

PHOTO CREDITS: Alex Peterman