Boys basketball state finals
All games at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Admission is $10 in advance, $13 on the day of the event. Parking is $10.
Class 4A
Gibbs (21-8) vs. Jacksonville Andrew Jackson (28-2), 10 a.m., Thursday
How they got here: Gibbs d. South Sumter 56-55 (OT), d. Parrish Community 65-57, d. Central 59-55. Andrew Jackson d. Marianna 63-60, d. Alachua Santa Fe 56-33, d. Panama City Bay 63-49.
Stat leaders
Category | Gibbs | Andrew Jackson |
Points per game | Jacob Daniels, 11.8 | Stephon Payne, 10.3 |
Rebounds per game | Jacquez Day, 7.6 | Stephon Payne, 9.3 |
Assists per game | Jacob Daniels, 2.9 | Kevin Odom, 2.4 |
Steals per game | Jacob Daniels, 2.3 | Kevin Odom, 1.4 |
Blocks per game | Jacquez Day, 0.8 | Stephon Payne, 1.6 |
Outlook
Gibbs is in the state semifinals for the first time since 2015. The Gladiators got here by winning six straight. During that streak, Gibbs did not allow an opponent to score more than 60 points in a game. The offense is balanced with three players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Jacob Daniels and Marcus Calvin, who are each averaging 11.8 points per game. Andrew Jackson lost in last year’s state semifinals to Bishop McLaughlin. That setback served as motivation for the Tigers, who enter on a 22-game win streak. Thanks to their impressive season, they are ranked No. 2 in the class and No. 6 overall in the state by MaxPreps.