TAVARES- Strobe Lights, Disco and Tavares. No, not the popular 70’s music group Tavares, but rather the small central Florida City of Tavares. This was the site where multiple girls basketball exposure teams from Jacksonville, set their hearts on a state championship win.
The annual event took place May 19-20 at the monumental Big House sports complex. The 162,000 square foot sports facility houses 9 full basketball courts and a variety of venues for multiple sports.
The groups of competitive teams ranged from fifth-twelfth grade. However, there could only be one winner and the Jacksonville girls all made a name for themselves by showing the state of Florida that they were a force to be reckoned with.
The teams from Northeast Florida took a 143-mile ride filled with anticipation, skills and a relentless love for the game.
Team Impact, the Jacksonville Lady Rams, FGB-Nightmares, Jacksonville Lady Predators, FGB-Team Delicia Washington and FGB-Team Courtney Williams each represented the city of Jacksonville at the 2018 Florida AAU Girls Basketball State Championship.
The Lady Rams pummeled the competition to bring home the seventh grade state championship. Game strategy, precision, skills and known abilities, executed by the Rams, pressed the team forward to complete a 72-47 victory over Florida Future.
Team Delicia Washington dominated the tenth grade division to capture the state championship. Caitlin McGee, Amari Wright and K.K. Davis led their team to a 58-53 victory over the Tampa Thunder 2020 Claitt.
Courtney Williams soared their way to obtain the eleventh D2 state championship. The ladies exhorted expertise ball skills which resulted in a close 58-53 win over ECU Murray 9th.
The Rams went in for the push once again becoming the twelfth grade 2018 Florida AAU Girls Basketball state champions.
Under the direction of renowned head coach Tony Bannister, the ladies collided head on with the Seminole Dream-Louis resulting in a 63-55 upset victory.
A number of talented teams showcased much anticipated basketball skills at the state championships. The crowds were wowed with game winners, new break out stars, and some affirmations of victory.
Once upon a time a nursery rhyme sang, ‘Girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice,’. Now a new song echoes from corner to corner in The Big House Arena, ‘Girls are created on basketball courts, pony-tails, headbands and shiny team shorts’.
Ultimately, there were no losers in Tavares. Yet for the ones who did not hoist the trophy, a seed of hunger was planted in their hearts to come back next year and take back what is rightfully theirs a state championship.
Numbers change and the players change but the game of basketball remains the same-live to play another game.
