After 55 years of chasing a state title, Gibbs did not care how orderly everything unfolded while winning one.
The Gladiators, who continuously came up short in the semifinals, only cared that they had finally prevailed.
Relying on a veteran lineup that had already set a school record with its third straight final four appearance, Gibbs notched the sweet victory that had eluded them since 1969 by getting past one of its biggest nemesis, Jacksonville Andrew Jackson, 49-43 in Saturday’s Class 4A state title game at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center.
There is finally joy, everlasting joy, for the wary fans and alumni who wondered if this season would be the one to end the longtime drought. Sure, there were pockmarks in the championship game. Sure, the Gladiators had to rally after a slow start. But Gibbs was concerned with achieving history, not doing it with any style points or having any flair of the dramatic, such as the triple overtime win over North Broward Prep in Thursday’s semifinal game.
For the Gladiators, just winning when it mattered most was simply a masterpiece.
This was Gibbs’ fifth overall title and third in the Florida High School Athletic Association (the first two titles, in 1951 and ’66, were in the FIAA before integration).
To win on Saturday, the Gladiators knew they had to get past a formidable opponent. Gibbs lost to the Tigers in the state semifinals two seasons ago and in this year’s regular season in January. The loss this year came on the road in the MLK Shootout that Andrew Jackson hosted and was decided by four points (52-48).
After leading 7-6 in the first quarter of Saturday’s final, Gibbs had trouble finding its offensive rhythm, falling behind 22-18 at the half before forcing a tie at 34-all at the end of the third quarter.
Then, everything came together.
Jacob Daniels, Bobby Crawford and Oneal Delancey all hit clutch shots early in the fourth quarter to put the Gladiators ahead 41-36.
They never relinquished the lead.
Playing defense in its traditional, suffocating style, Gibbs held off any attempted comeback by Andrew Jackson.
As the final second ticked away, the Gladiators whooped it up on the court, hugging anyone who moved.
This game, this title, is forever, an heirloom, something to hold and treasure. For too many aching seasons, from the disappointment of the 1990-91 super team to the heartbreaking outcomes in the semifinals the past two seasons, Gibbs watched other teams win.
Not anymore.
This time, the Gladiators get to celebrate bringing home that elusive championship.
