JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was a clean sweep in the Gateway Conference for the Ribault Trojans as the boys basketball team joins the girls as Gateway Conference tournament champions.
Ribault needed overtime to oust previously unbeaten Wolfson, but thanks to a 9-2 run in the extra frame, the Trojans were able to hold on for a 72-68 win.
"It's the fight. It's Ribault," said Trojans head coach Dale Green. "It's what we are all about on the northside. We don't believe in never, it's never over with. We just keep fighting and fighting."
Coach Green's team had to fight back from deficits several times in the second half before taking a 5-point lead in the 4th quarter with 2 minutes to go. Wolfson's Ty Railey led the Wolfpack with 24, including a lay up with 10 seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime. In the extra period, Johnnie Ginnie's 3-point play capped a 9-2 Trojans run to give them a 68-61 lead.
Thanks to back to back Railey buckets, Wolfson had a chance late, but Railey's 3-point attempt hit the front iron as Ribault sealed the victory.
"This team here, we stick together like brothers," said Trojans guard Terry Stripling. "No matter how hard the game gets, we are going to stick together regardless. Adversity is going to come, but we are still going to fight together."
The next step for both teams is district play starting next week. As much as this tournament win means to his program, coach Green says it is all about districts coming up. "Right now it is about peaking at the right time and I think we are doing that. They know the big prize is trying to get to state and we got the team right here that can do it."