Class 3A, District 5 Semifinal: Berkeley Prep & Seffner Christian Advance
Berkeley Prep and Seffner Christian will meet in Friday’s Class 3A, District 5 Final at Berkeley Prep after winning its respective semifinals on Wednesday night. The Buccaneers took down Seffner Christian late last month in a 57-42 victory but the…
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Continue ReadingBerkeley Prep and Seffner Christian will meet in Friday’s Class 3A, District 5 Final at Berkeley Prep after winning its respective semifinals on Wednesday night.
The Buccaneers took down Seffner Christian late last month in a 57-42 victory but the Crusaders played without 2021 guard Willie Jones in that game.
Results from the semifinals:
Berkeley Prep 72, Brooks DeBartolo 41
Seffner Christian 63, Tampa Prep 47
Here is a look at the top notes from each game.
Berkeley Prep trio gets it done
42 of Berkeley Prep’s 72 points came from three players alone in 2020 6’3″ guard Varun Ajjarapu (16 points), 2022 6’7″ guard/forward CJ Hawkins (15 points) and 2020 6’1″ guard Kegan Karnes (11 points). Ajjarapu, a Coast Guard signee connected on four 3’s and was putting his stroke on display for much of the opening half. Hawkins did his usual stuff inside, working off feeds and creating for himself. His size and ballhandling ability are problems for defenses. Karnes had 11 points before exiting late in the third quarter with knee soreness, but I was told he will be okay for Friday’s final. He is the top shooter, ballhandler and floor setter for the Buccaneers.
Trigg and Jones are too much for Tampa Prep
Having 2021 6’5″ guard Willie Jones back made an obvious difference for Seffner Christian as he was helping on and off the ball, hitting jumpers from the corner and getting to the cup often. The junior slashed his way to a 14-point performance and made life much easier for top piece 2021 6’6″ guard Mike Trigg. Trigg had a team-high 15 points, drawing endless contact with his strength and length. He is a fine athlete who plays with endless grittiness and effort.
Reed and Livingston battle for Seffner Christian
Seffner Christian had some good complimentary basketball in this one. 2021 6′ guard Isaiah Reed had 11 of his 14 points in the first half and was flying in transition. He is a finesse finisher and someone who has a ton of speed and playmaking ability. 2022 6’6″ guard/forward Tony Livingston posted 11 points as he scored mostly off tip-backs and power finishes.
McKinney does what he can for Brooks DeBartolo
Even with the game in hand for Berkeley Prep from midway through the second quarter on, one Brooks DeBartolo player never stopped going 100 percent. 2020 6’4″ guard Mason McKinney had a game-high 20 points, visiting the free throw line often in the fourth quarter. He’s someone that has a good frame and skillset to him. A Division III/NAIA program would fare well looking in his direction.
Sharp flashes for Tampa Prep
Points were hard to come by for Tampa Prep but it was 2020 6’4″ guard Gabriel Sharp who fittingly ended with a team-best 14 points in the final varsity game of his career. A scoring threat nightly with his mid-range and outside touch, he improved his game this season on the attack and kept his body in more control than ever. Sharp will get looks at the Division II/NAIA levels with his scoring prowess. 2021 guard Jakob Stiglich pitched in with 12 points of his own.