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District boys basketball: Seffner Christian knocks out host Tampa Prep

 
Published Feb. 11, 2017

TAMPA — Seffner Christian has a veteran boys basketball team. Eight of the 13 players on the roster are seniors, most of whom have been together for years.

There have been plenty of wins and a few playoff appearances. But there is one thing missing: a district title.

On Friday, the Crusaders had a chance to move one step closer to winning one. That meant getting past a major roadblock. Seffner Christian, the top seed in the Class 4A, District 4 semifinals, faced Tampa Prep, the team that has beaten them in the district final and region semifinals two of the past three seasons.

The Crusaders finally pulled through when it mattered, beating the host Terrapins 51-41. The loss ended Tampa Prep's streak of 13 straight playoff appearance, including 11 straight district titles.

"With this group, we didn't really have to bring up the past," Seffner Christian coach Sam Moorer said. "They know what's at stake. They want to win a district title. But they knew this one was going to be tough."

Last season, the Crusaders won both regular-season meetings for the first time and clinched the No. 1 seed. But they lost to the Terrapins in the district final and region semifinals.

Two weeks ago, Seffner Christian (21-6) won the only regular-season meeting between the teams. But Tampa Prep (18-8) was not just going to go away.

The Terrapins led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Crusaders rebounded thanks to a strong defensive performance, holding Tampa Prep to two points in the second quarter to take a 23-13 lead at the half.

"Seffner Christian is a really good team," longtime Terrapins coach Joe Fenlon said. "We knew we were going to have to do everything right to play with them. With the exception of a three-minute spurt in the second quarter, this game was even.

"We really showed our youth. Things started not going their way and they started to hang their heads a little bit. We were playing seniors who wanted to win more than life. It happens. It's a great learning experience for us."

Derek Webster had a monster game for the Crusaders with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Amari Goulbourne led Tampa Prep with 11 points.

Seffner Christian will play Admiral Farragut in Saturday night's final.

The Blue Jackets clinched their first playoff berth since 2011 with a 54-49 win over Calvary Christian.

Admiral Farragut (17-2) took control early and led 44-31 in the third quarter. The Warriors (19-8) cut it to one twice in the fourth quarter but could not get any closer. Cross Meehan and Winston Dessesow each had 12 points for the Blue Jackets. Eddie Williams had a team-high 25 for Calvary Christian.