Last year, the Fort White boys basketball team upset Hawthorne on the road in the first round of the FHSAA Class 1A state playoffs.

This week the Indians and the Hornets could see each other again, but this time it would be in a state championship game.

At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, No. 1 seed Hawthorne will face No. 4 seed Graceville in the Rural State Semifinals at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, while No. 3 seed Fort White plays No. 2 seed Crossroad Academy (Quincy) at 7 p.m. in the other state semifinal.

The two winners will face each other at 7 p.m. on Friday in the title game.

It’s the first final-four appearance in program history for Fort White (15-9).

“It means everything to this team, staff, administration and community,” said Fort White coach Elven Sheppard. “It’s been something we’ve been working towards for the last couple of years and to see it all come together is a great feeling.”

The Indians advanced with a 62-59 win in the Rural-Region 3 Final at Hilliard, last year’s 1A state runner-up.

“This group has worked hard to overcome adversities, distractions and injuries,” Sheppard said. “It’s been a pleasure to watch them mature throughout the season. It’s a resilient group. They truly earned this opportunity to compete in Lakeland.”

Fort White edged Trenton, 45-44, to win the Rural-District 6 title, followed by a pair of wins in regional play, including a 46-44 win against Madison County in the regional semifinals.

Last year Fort White lost at Hilliard, 64-51, in the region final. Now, they are one win away from playing for their first-ever state title in boys basketball.

The excitement level is at an all-time high.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support from the Fort White community,” Sheppard said. “They have been outstanding. Local businesses, family, friends and fans have all pitched in to make this a great experience for the boys. We are very fortunate and grateful for their generosity and support.”

The Indians are led in scoring this year by senior Tafari Moe (18.4 ppg/6.1 rpg).

Moe, who is a Harvard University commit, suffered a season-ending ankle injury during football in September. He went through surgery to repair the broken ankle, rehab and was back on the court to reach 1,000 points for his career in less than four months.

Junior Jayden Jackson, the son of former Gator and Fort White football coach Demetric Jackson, also belongs to the 1,000-point club. He is averaging 16.6 ppg and has several D-I football offers.

Their opponent, Crossroad Academy, lost to Hilliard, 49-36, in last year’s state semifinals.

“Crossroad Academy has been to Lakeland back-to-back years,” Sheppard said. “They have a coaching staff and players with final four experience. This team is very athletic, strong, quick and aggressive. We will have our hands full.”

The Scorpions are led by junior Forrest Dudley (15.1 ppg, 2.3 steals per game) and junior Jabari Boahen (9.5 ppg, 2.7 assists per game).

“To win this game we will have to emphasize ball security and focus on details in everything we do,” Sheppard said. “We also have to play with energy, effort, attitude and toughness. It’s a great opportunity and the boys are ready for the challenge. We are grateful and excited to have earned this spot in Lakeland to compete for a state title.”

Win or lose, this has been a season to remember for Fort White.

“We can’t wait to run out on that court and compete in front of our fans,” Sheppard said. “What an honor. It will be a great feeling and moment.”

Meanwhile, Hawthorne is making its eighth final-four appearance under head coach Greg Bowie.

The Hornets were state runners-up in 2012 and 2015, and they won their second state title in program history in 2020, their first since 1987, with a 42-38 win against Hilliard in the 1A state championship game.

Hawthorne (18-3) lost to two-time defending state champion Williston in the Rural-District 7 championship game on Feb. 7.

However, the Hornets returned the favor with a 45-43 win in the final second of the game in the Rural-Region 4 Final, ensuring there would be a new state champion this year.

Senior Chasion Wilson leads the way with 13.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, followed by senior Decarion Debose (12.9 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.9 spg), and senior Leland Johnson (11.1 ppg).

Graceville was the No. 4 seed in Rural-Region 1, but they knocked off top-seed Bethlehem, 56-47, and No. 3 seed Chipley, 63-61, on the road to advance

“Graceville is a very well-coached team,” Bowie said. “Their coach (Ronald Gates) is a veteran who had a distinguished coaching career at Chipley High School and now he’s doing a great job with the Graceville program. We lost to a couple of his Chipley teams that included great players such as Trent Forrest (Florida State).”

The Tigers (17-12) are led by senior 6-foot-3 Bryson Reynolds (15.7 ppg/8.8 rpg).

“We’ll have to contain their big guy,” Bowie said. “He leads them in scoring and rebounding and he’s physical. We will have to make it an up-tempo game and get points in transition.”