University Christian leans on youth in run to girls basketball state semifinals

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The girls 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 girls basketball state semifinals

Evangelical Christian (24-3) vs. University Christian (19-6)

Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland

When: Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Watch it: Game can be streamed through the NFHS Network. Cost is $11.99 for a monthly pass.

Winner gets: Central Florida Christian or Miami Christian in the state championship on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Notable: Coach Keith Stroud has been here before with the Christians. The longtime UC coach in a number of sports led the Christians to the Class 2A softball state title last year. The Christians are paced by the Tatum siblings, each of whom have their special moments on the court this year. Alanna currently leads UC in scoring (14.4 ppg). Eighth grader Londyn is fourth on the team in scoring (6.7 ppg). And Kennedi, also an eighth grader and one of the Tatum triplets, knocked down the biggest shot of her career in the regional finals. Her 3-pointer from the right corner with 7.8 seconds to play delivered a 32-30 win over NFEI. Junior C/F Tacarri Neal (9.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg) is second on the team in scoring and tops in boards. UC’s youth (four middle schoolers and just one senior) showcases just how well this team has performed for Stroud, a coaching veteran who won his 800th career game earlier this season.