The 7A District 1 Championship game featured a match-up of two of the best teams in Northeast Florida. Oakleaf and Nease have both been mainstays in our rankings all season. They both feature some of the best players as well. Oakleaf is led by Sophomores Fantasia James, Taliah Scott and Kaylah Turner. Nease is led by Junior Sydney Gomes, Senior Stephanie Manherz and Sophomore Camryn Robinson. They matched up earlier in the season in a high-scoring affair where Oakleaf got the win 82-77. This game was completely different as the team’s had some familiarity with each other and defense ruled the day for both teams.
Nease kicked off the scoring on a nice pick and roll from Gomes to Desiree Robinson. Oakleaf answers immediately with 3 from Scott at the top of the key. Oakleaf controlled the game early leading 14-5 with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter. Things began to change when Oakleaf’s Geniyah Durante picked up 3 fouls in the first quarter. Coach Sherri Anthony called a timeout to calm her team and Nease forced a turnover that led to a 3-pointer by Gomes. Oakleaf led 16-11 and the end of the first quarter and kept a lead for most of the first half. Nease took their first lead with 2:05 left in the 2nd quarter, 26-25. Their lead didn’t last long as Scott came down and scored on a euro-step to the basket. They would trade baskets to end the half with Nease up 30-29.
Nease comes out the locker firing on all cylinders as Manherz hits a 3-pointer but picks up her 4th foul with 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. After a slow start in the first half, James finally gets it going with a steal and finishes on an and-1. That ignited her teammates and Oakleaf took the lead 37-36 on the next play with a steal and layup with 4:30 left in the 3rd quarter. Nease came right back down and regained the lead 38-37. They increased that lead to 47-41 with big shots from Camryn Robinson and Allison Fifield. Both came up big all night with timely shots. Oakleaf was able to close the gap to 43-47 to end the quarter.
Both teams start the 4th quarter sluggish turning the ball over on travels. They traded baskets on the next two possessions but Oakleaf was able to tie the game at 49 on a free throw from James. Nease regained the lead 52-49 on a 3-pointer from Robinson with 4:30 left in the 4th quarter. Scott scored four points in a row and Oakleaf regained the lead 53-52 with 4 minutes left in the game. They were able to ice the game with a big basket from Durante and free throws from both James and Scott. That 3-pointer from Robinson would prove to be their last points scored as Oakleaf ramped up their defense and held Nease scoreless to close the game.
Oakleaf wins the 7A District 1 Championship 61-52. Both teams will now move on to play in the Regional Semifinals.
