Final four veteran Impact Christian ready for shot at Sagemont in Class 2A state semis
Impact Christian coach Benjamin Jones has the Lions in the final four for the fourth time in seven seasons.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The boys high school basketball state tournament begins this week at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Here’s a glance at the Class 2A state semifinal.
Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Impact Christian (18-10) vs. Sagemont (23-6) Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland
When: Tuesday, 3 p.m.
Watch it: Game can be streamed through the NFHS Network. Cost is $11.99 for a monthly pass .
Winner gets: Orlando Christian Prep or SLAM Academy in the state championship on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Notable: Coach Benjamin Jones has built the Lions into more than just a one-year wonder. Since arriving at Impact in 2016 from White (and before the Lions were even fielding a program), Jones began building Impact from the floor up. In their first season of playoff eligibility in 2018, the Lions played for a state championship. They added return trips to Lakeland in 2020 and ‘21, playing for titles in each. Impact made a sharp turnaround, going from a 3-8 start to a blistering finish. The Lions enter on a seven-game winning streak, including a 64-62 win over University Christian in the regional final. G Ronald Clark hit a walk-off layup at the buzzer to send the Lions on. G Taylor Thompson (11.5 ppg) and G/F Wilmer De Jesus (10.3 ppg) are powering Impact this season.
Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Justin Barney headshot
Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.
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