Ribault comes up short in 4A championship

The Trojans fall 58-53 to defending champions, Lake Highland Prep on Wednesday.

Lakeland, Fla. – Cold shooting down the stretch, combined with too much Joel Berry spelled defeat for the Ribault Trojans in the class 4A state championship game Wednesday night in Lakeland.

Appearing in their first state championship appearance since 2005, the Trojans were not nervous to start the game, holding the Highlanders to 1-11 shooting while holding a 6-point lead.

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Lake Highland ended the half on a 13-2 run that was capped by 10 straight points from 2-time Mr. Basketball for the state of Florida, Joel Berry.  The North Carolina signee finished with 20 points to lead the Highlanders.

Ribault led by 2 with 6:18 to play in the game.  But they hit only 2 more field goals the rest of the game, and eventually fell 58-53.

Hari Hall led the Trojans with 13 points, while fellow senior Daishon Smith battled foul trouble in the 1st half and had 11.

Ribualt finished the season at 29-4