WEST PALM BEACH – Janessa Williams led the way with 24 points, while Jade Jones (11 points), Monique Joseph (10 points), and Jordan Race (10 points) contributed to an easy playoff win last night (Feb. 10) for King’s Academy.
It was 41-12 at halftime as the girls from King’s Academy (22-5) never let up on West Shore (11-9). As a matter of fact, the eighth-seeded team did not get to within 25 points of the top-seeded team at any point of the second half.
The final score was 64-20 in the Class 3A – Region 3 quarterfinals. And with that, the Lady Lions advanced to next week’s regional semifinal round.
“Me and my teammates just want to go to states this season,” said Williams, who played with sheer tenacity on both ends of the floor from start to finish. “We just want to reach our goals. For me, it just makes want to go hard on the court and continue to go after every block and every rebound. I just want to get that extra pass so my teammates can put up that extra shot and just get us extra points on the board.”
King’s Academy girls basketball head coach Chris Race chimed in.
“Janessa sets the tone for us,” Race said. “She plays hard every minute of every game. Honestly, she and the girls have been working for this back in the summer. So all their hard work is coming into fruition right now. We’re right where we want to be. We have home court in the regionals. We just gotta keep doing what we’re doing.”
King’s Academy’s next opponent will be fifth-seeded Cardinal Newman (12-15), a 32-25 winner on the road last night over fourth seeded Avon Park (22-3).
The King’s Academy-Cardinal Newman regional semifinal title will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. It is a battle of two West Palm Beach-based private schools that will be held at King’s Academy.
OTHER REGIONAL QUARTERFINAL GAMES: PALM BEACH COUNTY TEAMS
CLASS 2A – REGION 4
•No. 1 Miami Christian 93, No. 8 Boca Raton Christian 19
Lady Blazers end their season at 15-11
•No. 2 Berean Christian 56, No. 7 St. Edward’s (Vero Beach) 20
Lady Bulldogs (21-4) advance to 2A – Region 4 semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 15
•No. 6 Dade Christian 49, No. 3 Glades Day 43
Lady Gators end their season at 9-9
•No. 5 Hebrew Christian 58, No. 4 Donna Klein Jewish Academy 55
Lady Eagles end their season at 5-9
CLASS 3A – REGION 3
•No. 2 Benjamin 62, No. 7 Melbourne Central Catholic 38
Lady Buccaneers (15-5) advance to 3A – Region 3 semifinal round on Tuesday, Feb. 15
•No. 3 Holy Trinity Episcopal 66, No. 6 St. Andrew’s 29
Lady Scots end their season at 13-9
CLASS 4A – REGION 4
•No. 1 Calvary Christian Academy 74, No. 8 Somerset Academy Canyons 20
Lady Cougars end their season at 17-6
•No. 4 Cardinal Gibbons 63, No. 5 American Heritage (Delray) 44
Lady Stallions end their season at 15-4
CLASS 6A – REGION 4
•No. 2 Seminole Ridge 73, No. 7 Martin County 35
Lady Hawks (15-1) advance to 6A – Region 4 semifinal round on Tuesday, Feb. 15
CLASS 7A – REGION 3
•No. 2 Spanish River 63, No. 7 Wellington 54
Lady Sharks (19-3) advance to 7A – Region 3 semifinal round on Tuesday, Feb. 15
Lady Wolverines end their season at 19-6
•No. 4 Santaluces 59, No. 5 Palm Beach Lakes 49
Lady Chiefs (18-9) advance to 7A – Region 3 semifinal round on Tuesday, Feb. 15
Lady Rams end their season at 13-8
NOTE: All FHSAA regional semifinal games for girls basketball will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
Please visit the FHSAA’s website at www.fhsaa.com for more information on all matchups around the area and state.
