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.
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.
Jacksonville wastewater plan could reshape North Florida water supply ▶ 0:49
Jacksonville wastewater plan could reshape North Florida water supply
‘Not going to abandon the vendors’: Owner of popular food truck site pushes back against closure ▶ 1:06
‘Not going to abandon the vendors’: Owner of popular food truck site pushes back against closure
Jacksonville councilman says HealthLink Jax investigation into misuse complaints nearing completion ▶ 0:47
Jacksonville councilman says HealthLink Jax investigation into misuse complaints nearing completion
Schools closed, mandatory evacuations issued amid 1,500-acre wildfire in Brantley County ▶ 1:13
Schools closed, mandatory evacuations issued amid 1,500-acre wildfire in Brantley County
Florida attorney general targets OpenAI over ChatGPT’s role in FSU campus shooting ▶ 1:26
Florida attorney general targets OpenAI over ChatGPT’s role in FSU campus shooting
Nutritious & Delicious with Richard Nunn ▶ 3:09
Nutritious & Delicious with Richard Nunn
Behind-the-scenes with fire crews battling Railroad Fire in Clay, Putnam counties ▶ 0:55
Behind-the-scenes with fire crews battling Railroad Fire in Clay, Putnam counties
Officials ask homeowners to do their part to protect property as wildfire rages ▶ 0:54
Officials ask homeowners to do their part to protect property as wildfire rages
How you can help fire crews working to protect homes, businesses in Clay, Putnam ▶ 1:07
How you can help fire crews working to protect homes, businesses in Clay, Putnam
Clay, Putnam wildfires merge into ‘unpredictable’ 4K-acre Railroad Fire ▶ 1:03
Clay, Putnam wildfires merge into ‘unpredictable’ 4K-acre Railroad Fire
Fighting fires from the sky ▶ 0:33
Fighting fires from the sky
How community is rallying to save halfway house after I-TEAM report reveals inspection oversights ▶ 1:10
How community is rallying to save halfway house after I-TEAM report reveals inspection oversights
It's a great day for a motorcycle ride. Dry and warmer this week. Look twice for motorcycles ▶ 0:24
It's a great day for a motorcycle ride. Dry and warmer this week. Look twice for motorcycles
Equestrian Center opens doors for those who need to evacuate horses, livestock from wildfires ▶ 0:35
Equestrian Center opens doors for those who need to evacuate horses, livestock from wildfires
What you need to know about wildfires burning in Clay, Putnam counties ▶ 0:32
What you need to know about wildfires burning in Clay, Putnam counties
Wildfires near Clay-Putnam County line expected to merge into 3K-acre blaze ▶ 0:58
Wildfires near Clay-Putnam County line expected to merge into 3K-acre blaze
From Raines to Reel Life: How this creative is blazing a trail in the entertainment industry ▶ 1:33
From Raines to Reel Life: How this creative is blazing a trail in the entertainment industry
Large wildfires merging near Clay-Putnam County line ▶ 0:53
Large wildfires merging near Clay-Putnam County line
Firefighters battling 300-acre brush fire in Nassau County ▶ 1:14
Firefighters battling 300-acre brush fire in Nassau County
Mother demands safety changes after she says teen son was jumped, robbed at Westside park ▶ 1:37
Mother demands safety changes after she says teen son was jumped, robbed at Westside park
Former Jacksonville teacher’s arrest raises concerns about platforms not meant for messaging ▶ 1:26
Former Jacksonville teacher’s arrest raises concerns about platforms not meant for messaging
1 year after FSU shooting, records reveal suspect’s ChatGPT messages as victims are honored ▶ 1:28
1 year after FSU shooting, records reveal suspect’s ChatGPT messages as victims are honored
Local nonprofit helps disabled Army veteran, fiancée become homeowners in Green Cove Springs ▶ 0:57
Local nonprofit helps disabled Army veteran, fiancée become homeowners in Green Cove Springs
Bradford County commissioners postpone decision on potential ICE detention center ▶ 0:39
Bradford County commissioners postpone decision on potential ICE detention center
'If you know something, say something': Mother of Rashaud Fields pleads for answers in his death ▶ 0:51
'If you know something, say something': Mother of Rashaud Fields pleads for answers in his death
Previous photo Next photo
