Ribault advances to title game

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Ribault Trojans boy basketball team has had one goal all season; restore the glory.

They are one step away after beating Coral Springs Charter Tuesday night in the 4A state semifinals 70-67.

Ribault will play Lake Highland Prep at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday in Lakeland for the 4A state championship.

Dale Green is in his first year as the Trojans head coach and says basketball is important at Ribault.

"Coming to Lakeland I was thinking about we're in the final four restoring the glory, Green said."It's big at Ribault, basketball is big at Ribault,and to have this honor to represent Ribault in this finals means a lot to the boys."

Trojans forward Hari Hall, who scored 16 points in the game, says the mission is not complete.

"I dreamed about this," he said. "We've just got to play Ribault basketball. Bring the tradition back, bring back glory home to Jacksonville."

Ribault led from the outset holding a 17-15 advantage after a quarter and pushing the lead to 39-28 at half.

The Panthers made a run in the 4th quarter cutting the lead to 53-50 with six minutes to play. That's when Torien Moore took over for Ribault.

Moore drove the lane for a basket and the foul to push the lead to six. Two minutes later Moore completed another three point play to push the lead to eight with four minutes to play.

Hall put the game away 30 seconds later with a three pointer to stretch the lead to nine.

Ribault has won four state championships.