Based on the final Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regular season rankings, the Gainesville girls basketball team needs to win the district title to advance to next week’s regional playoffs.
GHS, which is ranked 10th in Class 5A-Region 1, took the next step on Wednesday night.
The top seed Lady Hurricanes (11-9) defeated No. 4 seed Chiles (Tallahassee), 55-38, in the Class 5A-District 2 Semifinals at The Purple Palace. They will host No. 2 seed Lincoln (Tallahassee) at 7 p.m. on Friday for the district title.
Lincoln eliminated No. 3 seed Leon (Tallahassee), 57-53, in the other district semifinal.
“We came out and the goal was to execute as much as possible,” said first-year GHS coach Ken Mitchell. “We wanted to apply some pressure, and it worked out as planned. We got the result we got, but the overall plan was to hit them as hard as we can hit them and see if they can hit back.”
The ‘Canes (11-9) built a double-digit lead in the first quarter.
Junior Catalina Giraldo Vergara (5 points) started the scoring for GHS 30 seconds into the game with a runner in the lane, followed by a layup by junior Sarah Collins (6 points) for a 4-0 lead with 6:10 remaining in the opening period.
Chiles junior Lainey Crisafulli (7 points) knocked down a 3-pointer on the left wing 30 seconds later to get the Timberwolves within one at 4-3.
However, that is as close as Chiles would get for the remainder of the game.
“We talked about being able to apply pressure and making the other team show us they can deal with it, and it just worked out in our favor,” Mitchell said. “All credit to the girls. They played hard. They executed.”
Five different players scored in the opening quarter for GHS, which led 15-4 at the end of the first quarter.
The lead got as high as 15 in the opening half as junior Mikinzie Hargon scored a layup on an assist from Vergara for a 24-9 lead with 3:32 to play in second quarter.
Hargon came off the bench to lead all scorers with 15 points.
“Oh, I love her,” Mitchell said. “She’s our toughest kid. She’s grown. Her development from day one to now is tremendous. I love to let her play freely. If you saw how she played, maybe a little awkward, but for us it works, so she’s only getting better, and what she did tonight was just a testament to her work she’s put in.”
Chiles called timeout and finished the half on a 7-2 run to get within 10 at 26-16.
The Hurricanes pulled away early in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves, 10-2, and led 46-24 with 5:28 left in the game. Less than a minute later, Mitchell brought his starters out.
Senior Kaitlyn Fagan had a team-high 13 points and was the only player in double figures for Chiles, which finished the season 14-11.
Junior center Takarii Jackson had 10 points for GHS, followed by junior point guard Mateja Allen (9) and sophomore guard Lady Taylor (8).
Up next is a win and you’re in scenario for the Purple Hurricanes, who get the opportunity to defend their home court and punch their ticket to the state playoffs.
“The best part about it is being able to get the people in to support you,” Mitchell said. “It’s a big deal for us, and we’re excited about it. But me, being the coach, I am worried about rebounding and rotation. That’s the most important thing. If we rebound and rotate, we give ourselves a chance.”
Scores (district semifinals) – Wednesday, Feb. 4
Rural Class-District 5 at higher seed
1 Hilliard 64, 4 Branford 18
3 Lafayette (Mayo) 51, 2 Madison County 42
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
3 Lafayette (Mayo) at 1 Hilliard
Rural Class-District 6 at higher seed
1 Fort White 69, 4 Trenton 38
3 Taylor County (Perry) 61, 2 Dixie County (Cross City) 60
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
3 Taylor County (Perry) at 1 Fort White
Rural Class-District 7 at Bronson
1 Williston 64, 4 Hawthorne 42
2 Wildwood 76, 3 Chiefland 38
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
1 Williston vs. 2 Wildwood
Class 1A-District 4 at St. John Lutheran (Ocala)
1 Redeemer Christian (Ocala) 57, 4 St. John Lutheran (Ocala) 35
2 Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) 60, 3 Countryside Christian 41
Class 2A-District 2 at higher seed
4 P.K. Yonge at 1 Trinity Catholic (Ocala)
2 St. Joseph Academy (St. Augustine) 64, 3 Saint Francis Catholic Academy 37
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
2 St. Joseph Academy (St. Augustine) vs. PKY/Trinity Catholic winner
Class 3A-District 3 at higher seed
1 Newberry 78, 4 Keystone Heights 40
3 Palatka at 2 Bradford (Starke)
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
Bradford/Palatka winner at 1 Newberry
Class 4A-District 5 at higher seed
4 Crystal River 51, 1 Dunnellon 44
3 Eastside 48, 2 North Marion (Citra) 41
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
4 Crystal River at 3 Eastside, 7 p.m.
Class 5A-District 2 at higher seed
1 Gainesville 55, 4 Chiles (Tallahassee) 38
2 Lincoln (Tallahassee) 57, 3 Leon (Tallahassee) 53
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
2 Lincoln (Tallahassee) at 1 Gainesville
Class 6A-District 3 at Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine)
2 Buchholz 51, 3 Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 45
1 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) 77, 4 Forest (Ocala) 54
Championship – Friday, Feb. 6
2 Buchholz at 1 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine)
That’s fantastic news for the Lady Hurricanes! It sounds like the pressure is really on to secure that district title given the FHSAA rankings. I’m curious, how did Sarah Collins perform in that critical semifinal game against Chiles, especially knowing the regional playoff spot hinges on the final?