Florida’s FHSAA Class 7A championship: live updates, highlights, scores from Columbus vs. Sarasota originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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JACKSONVILLE, Florida, March 13 — It’s been five years since Dr. Phillips [Orlando, FL] boys basketball team walked off the court as Florida’s FHSAA Class 7A champions after defeating Dwyer [Palm Beach Gardens, FL] in a hard-fought 54-46 battle between two teams nicknamed the Panthers.
And that’s also the last time any team other than the Columbus [Miami, FL] Explorers added an FHSAA Class 7A state championship trophy to its display case.
The Explorers enter Saturday evening’s contest at CSI Companies Court at UNF Arena in Jacksonville in pursuit of their fifth consecutive state championship against a Sarasota [FL] Sailors’ squad that sports an identical 25-6 record. Records aside, Columbus is the heavy favorite to prevail before heading to East Rutherford, New Jersey, next week as one of the eight teams selected to compete in the The Throne tournament.
Win or lose, Sarasota’s season will be over, and the Sailors would love nothing more than to humble the Explorers as they prepare to take the national stage in the Garden State showcase.
Game time for Florida’s FHSAA Class 7A state championship game is set for 5 p.m. EST local.
STREAM:Watch Florida’s FHSAA boys basketball Class 7A state championship game on the NFHS Network
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Refresh for updates
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FOUTH QUARTER
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It’s 46-all at the five-minute mark as Sarasota converts another basket-and-a-foul situation.
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Sarasota briefly tied it at 43-all on a bucket plus the foul situation, but Columbus answers with a three to re-extend the lead to 46-43.
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It’s 43-40, Columbus.
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Sarasota opens the final period with a basket, and it’s a one-possession game at 41-38 in favor of Columbus
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THIRD QUARTER — Columbus 41, Sarasota 36
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The third quarter ended up being a stalemate with both teams scoring 14 points. Eight more minutes to decide Florida’s FHSAA Class 7A championship.
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At the two-minute mark, Columbus continues to set the pace with a 39-34 lead.
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Columbus up, 34-31, just past the halfway point.
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Sarasota has clawed their way back into this after trailing by nine in the first half. Sailors down 32-30 with the ball.
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At the six-minute mark, it’s 30-26, Columbus. Sarasota is already in the bonus after just two minutes, so that’s something to keep an eye on as they’ll be going to the free throw line for the rest of the period.
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The third quarter is under way!
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SECOND QUARTER — Columbus 27, Sarasota 22
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Sarasota closes the second quarter with a three-pointer to trim Columbus’s lead to five headed into the break.
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Just over two to play, Columbus has finally started to pull away just a little bit. They’re up, 27-19.
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A turnover and a finish at the rim by Caleb Gaskins gives Columbus a 24-19 lead and Sarasota calls a timeout. 4:25 to play before the half.
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It’s back and forth right now with Columbus up 20-19 around the six minute mark of the second quarter.
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One minute into the second quarter, it’s all knotted up at 16-all.
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FIRST QUARTER — Columbus 16, Sarasota 13
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The first quarter comes to a close as Columbus goes on a 9-3 run over the last couple of minutes of the period.
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At the two-minute mark, it’s Sarasota, 10-7.
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All five of Sarasota’s starters have scored, and Columbus is having trouble getting the ball to go through the hoop. Just past the halfway mark of the opening quarter, it’s 10-5, Sarasota.
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Approaching the five-minute mark, the two teams were tied at 5-all when Sarasota nailed a three-pointer. The Sailors are up 8-5 early.
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The game is under way!
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We’re inside 20 minutes for the scheduled NFHS live stream of today’s game. We’ll keep you posted on any potential delays or time changes.
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Coming soon! Game time is set for 5 p.m. EST local!
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How can I watch Columbus vs. Sarasota today?
- Date: 5 p.m. EST Saturday, March 13
- STREAM:Watch Florida’s FHSAA boys basketball Class 7A state championship game on the NFHS Network
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