Mike Ridaught
The dream season came to an end for the Santa Fe boys basketball team.
On Saturday at the R.P. Funding Center in Lakeland, Santa Fe (Alachua) lost to Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), 90-83 in double overtime, in the FHSAA Class 4A state championship game.
Santa Fe (20-6) was able to overcome a 16-point deficit to send the game in overtime.
The Raiders outscored Pine Crest, 20-9, to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 64—64 at the end of regulation.
Sophomore Don’Trell Jenkins led Santa Fe in scoring again, finishing with a team-high 31 points. He added five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
North Carolina State signee Ernest Ross posted a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds in his final game in a Santa Fe uniform.
Senior Cayvian Wakeley was also in double figures with 15 points, along with six assists and three steals.
Amen Thompson led Pine Crest (21-1) with a game-high 43 points.
Santa Fe shot 51.7% from the floor for the game but struggled with 24 turnovers.
The Raiders defeated Lake Highland Prep in Orlando last Friday in the region final on a shot with seven seconds to play and defeated West Nassau (Callahan) on Thursday in the 4A state semifinals on a shot with three seconds to play, but couldn’t find the magic to pull out another close game.
It was Santa Fe’s first trip to the state semifinals in 19 seasons.
“Unfortunately we did not get to hoist the championship trophy, but I am proud of my guys,” said Santa Fe coach Elliot Harris. “We accomplished a lot this year and today’s loss doesn’t diminish that. We made history at our school while giving our community and county a reason to cheer for the underdog. This was an unbelievable journey, and I would not trade my team for another.”