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Spartans to Final Four

By Mike Zima Correspondent
Posted 2/23/23

ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day School point guard Taliah Scott’s free throw with no time remaining lifted St. Johns Country Day to an improbable 50-49 victory over visiting North Florida …

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Spartans to Final Four


Posted

ORANGE PARK - St. Johns Country Day School point guard Taliah Scott’s free throw with no time remaining lifted St. Johns Country Day to an improbable 50-49 victory over visiting North Florida Educational Institute in the Class 2A Regional Final on February 17.

The regional title was the Spartans first in girls basketball in 37 years. SJCD, ranked second in Florida’s Class 2A by MaxPerps.com, will take on Faith Christian (Orlando) in a state semifinal in Lakeland on February 22. Faith Christian (14-10) is ranked third.

It appeared that the best the Spartans could hope for was to send the game to overtime as NFEI took possession of the ball with 58 seconds remaining and the score tied at 49. The Eagles ran the clock under the 10 second mark before guard Lesly Gonzalez’s baseline floater from the right side fell off the rim. NFEI’s Emely Belis Del Rosario missed a put-back attempt from the left side, and Scott grabbed the rebound in traffic under the basket. Scott dribbled twice up the lane in the hope of clearing herself for a three-quarter court heave, and as she did so, Eagle Tahjera Forbes reached in. The buzzer sounded as a referee’s whistle blew. After a brief conference, the officials determined that although the clock showed 0:00, a foul on Forbes had occurred prior to the buzzer. Because it was the Eagles 10th foul of the half, Scott was entitled to two free throws.

“As soon as the refs said she was shooting, our whole team knew we had won,” said SJCD head coach Yolanda Bronston. “Talia is automatic from the line.”

Scott, a McDonald’s All-American and Arkansas commitment, has converted 90 percent of her free throws this season.

As the teams were sent to their benches, Scott calmly stepped to the free throw line, took her customary two dribbles and arched a back-spinning shot that swished through the net. The rest of the Spartans rushed out to celebrate with her, joined by a boisterous student section that charged the court.

“This is amazing,†Bronston said as she surveyed the post-game scene. “It is what I have been working for since I got here. We have been building our skills and building our culture, and to see the expressions on the players’ faces is better than any trophy.â€

The game carried extra meaning for the sixth-year coach, who has turned around a SJCD program that had enjoyed little success before she arrived. Mickey McGuigan, Bronston’s coach at Blacksburg High School from 1988 to 1990, passed away suddenly on January 13. McGuigan, who was inducted into the Blacksburg High School Hall of Fame last October, was known as much for how he cared for his players as for the three state championships his teams won.

Conducting her post-game interview through tears of joy for her jubilant players and tears of grief for her beloved mentor, Bronston dedicated the win and the season to McGuigan. “Mickey was my father figure, and one of my best friends since I was 14 years old,†she said. †I hope I am making him proud.â€

Scott set up her game-winner with by sinking two free throws to tie the game at 49 with 58 seconds left. Ahead 49-47, the Eagles’ guards were too aggressive in double-teaming Scott 30 feet from the basket, and committed a costly blocking foul.

NFEI led 18-11 after the first quarter behind strong board work by Belis Del Rosario and center Mistura Badmus, who each stand 6’3†. Each of them scored twice on put-backs in the quarter. Bronston turned the tables by moving Scott inside to guard Badmus. Despite the seven-inch height differential, the switch worked, as Badmus only had four points in the final 24 minutes after scoring six in the first eight.

“Talia is a tremendous defender,†explained Bronston. “She rebounds, she boxes out. This is not the first time we have had to put her on someone 6’3†or taller.â€

Scott eliminated the Eagles’ second-chance opportunities and started a 20-2 Spartans’ run with a three-pointer from the top of the key as SJCD turned a nine point deficit into a ten point lead in the second quarter. During the spurt, Scott showed her versatility with a Euro-step lay-up and a pull-up jumper from mid-range, Juliet Moody scored two baskets from the lane and guard Mary Kate Kent drilled a deep three-pointer. SJCD led 33-24 at the intermission.

The SJCD offense went stagnant in the second half, bothered by the Eagles’ half-court trap on the perimeter and unable to shoot over the taller Eagles on the interior. NEFI used a 10-0 run of its own spanning the last two minutes of the third quarter and the first three minutes of the fourth to knot the game at 41. Kent gave the Spartans a lifeline by knocking down two three-point shots down the stretch, the second of which gave the hosts a 47-41 advantage with 4:05 remaining.

Scott finished with a game-high 18 points and seven assists, while Kent scored 17 points, including five three-pointers.

St. Johns Country Day improved to 20-5, extending their winning streak to eight games. The Spartans went undefeated at home this year.

“We are going to go to Lakeland and give it all we have,†said Bronston. “To win, we have to keep playing together and keep playing for each other.â€

Gonzalez led NFEI, which ended their season with a 16-9 record, with 14 points, while wing Shadia Santacruz chipped in with 12.