Lakeland Florida- Tampa Catholic didn’t hesitate to tangle with Jacksonville Bolles early in the Boys Basketball Class 4A State Semifinal game on Wednesday. At stake was a chance to go to the 4A Championship game, and play for the State title on Thursday. But for Tampa, they would be met with the same intensity they exhibited and then some by the Bolles Bulldogs.
Final Score :@BollesSchool 68 @tampacathhoops 53 @DuvalSports @FACACoach @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/cVhdb4vZsc
— C2CSchools.com (@c2cschools) February 24, 2016
Catholic jumped out to an early lead in the game thanks to great ball movement and the play of Thomas Dziagwa. The talented forward was able to create shots in the paint that led to buckets and an early lead. Yet Bolles would answer their scoring in the second period, thanks to the outstanding play of center #15 Collin Smith.
Smith used his height and length to his advantage, scoring down low in the paint and garnering rebounds. By halftime, Smith had 14 points for Bolles and Dziagwa had 11 points for Catholic as Bolles led by one point 31-30.
In the second half Bolles would do what they had come accustom to doing late in the regular season and the playoffs, putting teams away. Collin Smith would continue his tear in the paint scoring 17 second half points giving him 31 points for the game. He also added 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Some of those assists came in the second half as he found#0 Lorenzo Lawrence for shots, and drives to the basket. Lawrence finished the game with 11 points. But not to be out done, #14 Austin Williams contributed mightily with put backs and layups as Bolles started to take advantage of the contest with their height advantage. Tampa Catholic did a good job with Thomas Dziagwa and Kevin Knox ( listed as 6’5 and 6’8 respectively) and their ability to score in the paint against the Bolles 6’10 ft tandem Smith and Jonathan Dewane. But Bolle’s height and length proved vital with their guards and forwards, as Catholic’s back court players stood under 6 feet. They had no answer for William’s 12 points, and Smith’s complete domination in the game. Bolles would go on to pull away in the second half to win 68-53.
Turn out the lights,the party's over in Lakeland! BOLLES ADVANCES TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP! Defeats Tampa Catholic 68-53 pic.twitter.com/VtaQcdNjJz
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) February 24, 2016
Bolles will now turn their sights to the 4A Championship game where they will face Holy Trinity (20-7) from Melbourne Florida. Holy trinity defeated Westminster Wednesday to set up the 4A finals match-up. For Bolles, they have the chance to win a Boys Basketball State Title for the first time in 27 years.
