Mr. Clutch: Best performances from the regional finals in 5A-9A
There were some impressive team and individual performances on Friday night with the regional finals taking place
Here are the most clutch performances from Friday night.
9A
Robin Perry (Oak Ridge)
Oak Ridge will make its fifth state tournament appearance. The Pioneers last played in the state tournament in 2012. In the 57-54 win over Osceola, Perry scored a team-high 18 points for the Pioneers. Perry had what turned out to be the game-winning layup with just under one minute left to put his team up 53-52. Oak Ridge never trailed again. He hit a long 3 just moments before.
Zion Collins (West Orange)
Collins generated 26 points including eight during a 19-0 run in the second half. West Orange trailed 51-38 at the break but rallied back to win 96-81. Senior Troy commit KJ Simon pitched in with 21 points. First trip to states since 2005. West Orange will play Oak Ridge at 6 p.m. on Friday in a state semifinal.
Immanuel Crump (Miramar)
Crump made a layup with just over two minutes left to tie the game at 46. Then with about 35 seconds left, the senior forward sunk two free throws to put his side up four. Crump finished with 12 points in the 54-48 win over South Miami. Damian Miller also had 12 points. First trip since 2011.
8A
Keyshawn Bryant/Dorian James (Winter Haven)
Seniors Keyshawn Bryant and Dorian James had 24 and 21 points respectively. Consecutive buckets late by Bryant gave Winter Haven a 71-68 win over Edgewater. The Blue Devils are back in the state tournament for the first time since 2012. Winter Haven will play Creekside on Friday at 2 p.m. in a state semifinal.
J’Michael Plummer (Creekside)
Plummer has been clutch all season for Creekside. It was no different on Friday night as the Embry Riddle senior commit finished with 19 points in a 51-49 win over Lincoln. The Trojans are a team that has beaten the Knights in two straight regional finals. This will be the first state tournament appearance in Creekside history.
7A
Aron Scott (Choctaw)
Scott scored a game-high 26 points, 15 in the second half as Choctaw held off Gainesville 54-52 to head to the state tournament for the first time since 2002. The Indians will play Hillsborough on Friday at 10 a.m. in a state semifinal.
6A
Jaylen Jones (Booker)
Jones had 12 points. The senior netted the game-winning layup with just under three seconds left in regulation to give his team the 44-42 over Mariner. The Tornadoes are back in the state tournament since 2006 when current head coach Markus Black was the point guard for a team that won it all. Booker will play defending champion Leesburg on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in a state semifinal.
5A
Dominic Pugh (Trinity Catholic)
Pugh, a junior guard had 28 points in a 66-57 win over Melbourne Central Catholic to earn its first ever trip to states. Pugh and the Celtics will play Pensacola Catholic on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in a state semifinal.
Tim Carter/Messiah Turner (Tampa Catholic)
Seniors Tim Carter and Messiah Turner had 19 and 14 points respectively as Tampa Catholic rallied back to beat Oxbridge for the third straight year in the region final by the score of 68-63. Carter made big shots down the stretch while Turner, a Connecticut football commit had 12 free throws in the game. Now, the Crusaders will play University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in a state semifinal.
Photo credit: Sarasota Herald-Tribune