- The Newberry girls basketball team entered the Class 3A-District 3 tournament as the No. 1 seed and won 78-40 against Keystone Heights in the semifinals.
- Senior Brandy Whitfield scored 39 points in the semifinal and 38 points in the district championship game against Bradford.
- Newberry lost the district title game 64-62 to Bradford but earned a No. 2 seed in the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 1 Quarterfinals.
- Newberry will face No. 7 seed Episcopal on Friday, with the game broadcast online at Mainstreet Daily News starting at 6:45 p.m.
The Newberry girls basketball team entered last week’s Class 3A-District 3 tournament as the No. 1 seed.
They lived up to it with a dominating 78-40 win against No. 4 seed Keystone Heights on Wednesday in the semifinals.
Senior sensation Brandy Whitfield had her typical game with 39 points, including six 3-pointers, six assists and four steals. She nearly outscored the Indians (12-12) by herself.
That set up the district championship game on Friday night against No. 2 seed Bradford (Starke), which defeated No. 3 seed Palatka, 35-25, in the other district semifinal.
The Panthers defeated the Tornadoes twice during the regular season by an average margin of victory of 31 points, including a 40-point win in Starke on Jan. 22.
But you know the saying that it’s tough to beat a team three times in a season.
Plus, Bradford had to win to earn a spot in this year’s state playoffs.
The Tornadoes did just that with a 64-62 upset, rallying from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to win their first district title in 13 years.
“Friday’s loss was a tough one,” said first-year Newberry coach Jessica Ross. “The locker room was emotional because they care, and that’s what you want as a coach.”
Despite the loss, the Lady Panthers (19-4) received a No. 2 seed in the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 1 Quarterfinals, which begins at 7 p.m. tonight.
“By Monday, the focus was on getting better and preparing for the next opportunity,” Ross said. “This group has been resilient all season. I expect them to come out Friday focused, motivated, and ready to compete.”
Bradford’s Ar’Nayshia Griffin had 14 of her 36 points in the fourth quarter of the district title game, but Whitfield led the way with 38 points.
Whitfield, who scored a season high 41 points against Fort White in December, was 7-of-13 from behind the arc (54%). She added four rebounds, five assists and seven steals.
“Her performance in the championship game speaks to the type of competitor she is,” Ross said. “She’s been consistent all year, not just as a scorer but a leader also. She puts in the extra work, and she competes on both ends of the floor.”
Whitfield, who averages 30 points per game (ppg.), scored over 1,000 points in her career against Santa Fe (Alachua) on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.
“Beyond the points, she’s someone we rely on in big moments,” Ross said.
She’s hoping that next big moment is tonight against No. 7 seed Episcopal (Jacksonville).
The visiting Eagles (18-8) lost to Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville), 55-24, in the 3A-District 4 semifinals, snapping a nine-game winning streak.
Ross said that the key to victory “starts with defense and discipline.”
“Episcopal is a fundamentally sound team, so we have to limit second-chance opportunities and take care of the basketball,” she said. “Offensively, we need to be patient and take quality shots.”
Senior Zara Griffith averages 16.5 ppg. for Episcopal, which gives up just 36.3 ppg.
Griffith is second in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida in both free throws made (151) and attempted (194) for an average of 78% from the line.
“If we defend the way we’re capable of, rebound, and play unselfishly, we’ll give ourselves a great chance,” Ross said. “At this stage, it’s about toughness, execution, and staying connected for four quarters.”
Friday’s game will be broadcast online (audio only) at Mainstreet Daily News with Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) and coach Mac McCray (Color) calling the action beginning at 6:45 p.m.
If Newberry wins, they will host either No. 3 South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach) or No. 6 seed Florida High (Tallahassee) next Friday in the regional semifinals.
In the other regional quarterfinal, Bradford (16-9) received the No. 8 seed in 3A-Region 1 and will travel to No. 1 Bolles (Jacksonville) (22-4). The host Bulldogs just moved to the top of The Prep Zone Power Poll.
Eastside, GHS, Buchholz, Dixie County (Cross City) and Chiefland are on the road, while Fort White and Williston will be at home.
On Valentine’s Day, the P.K. Yonge boys basketball team will host University Christian (Jacksonville) at 7 p.m.
The host Blue Wave (12-13) won the 2A-District 2 title, while the visiting Christians (13-10) were 2A-District 3 runners-up.
Audio coverage of the game will be available on Mainstreet with Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) and Mac McCray (Color) calling the action beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Newberry, Trenton, and Williston will also be at home, while Bradford, Eastside, Columbia (Lake City), Gainesville, Buchholz, Union County (Lake Butler), and Hawthorne will be on the road.
2025-2026 FHSAA Basketball Regional Tournaments
GIRLS
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted. Area teams in bold.
Quarterfinals – Friday, Feb. 13
Class 3A-Region 1
8 Bradford (Starke) (16-9) at 1 Bolles (Jacksonville) (22-4)
7 Episcopal (Jacksonville) (18-8) at 2 Newberry (19-4) – Game will be broadcast (audio only) at Mainstreet Daily News beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Class 4A-Region 2
8 Eastside (9-17) at 1 Bishop Moore (Orlando) (21-4)
Class 5A-Region 1
8 Gainesville (12-9) at 1 Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) (19-3), 6 p.m.
Class 6A-Region 1
5 Buchholz (19-7) at 4 Lake Howell (Winter Park) (22-5)
Semifinals
Rural-Region 3
4 Dixie County (Cross City) (12-7) at 1 Hilliard (22-5)
3 Madison County (12-7) at 2 Fort White (16-9)
Rural-Region 4
4 Moore Haven (25-0) at 1 Williston (18-2)
3 Chiefland (22-3) at 2 Wildwood (14-5)
BOYS
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted. Area teams in bold.
Quarterfinals – Saturday, Feb. 14
Class 2A-Region 1
3 University Christian (Jacksonville) (13-10) at 6 P.K. Yonge (12-13) – Game will be broadcast (audio only) at Mainstreet Daily News beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Class 3A-Region 1
5 Bradford (Starke) (17-5) at 4 Walton (Defuniak Springs) (21-4)
7 South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach) (15-12) at 2 Newberry (19-3), 5:30 p.m.
Class 4A-Region 2
4 Eastside (15-8) at 5 Eustis (18-6)
Class 5A-Region 1
8 Gainesville (15-13) at 1 Fleming Island (Orange Park) (19-8)
6 Columbia (Lake City) (15-11) at 3 Lincoln (Tallahassee) (20-2)
Class 6A-Region 1
5 Buchholz (19-7) at 4 Milton (24-3)
Semifinals
Rural-Region 3
4 Hamilton County (Jasper) (16-7) at 1 Trenton (23-4)
3 Union County (Lake Butler) (14-8) at 2 Hilliard (17-5)
Rural-Region 4
4 Hawthorne (6-9) at 1 Wildwood (22-5), 3 p.m.
3 Fort Meade (22-1) at 2 Williston (18-7)