Orange Park FL- In it’s 11 year history, Oakleaf High School had never advanced to the FHSAA Final 4 in basketball. Well that all changed Friday night when the Oakleaf Girls Basketball team cut down Timber Creek 76-61 to advance to the first ever state championship series.
Coach Fred Cole has guided his team to a 24-2 record, and knew in order for them to get to Lakeland they had to be focused on the objective in front of them. ” I told the team we had to come out with high energy, and that we couldn’t leave anything in the tank tonight”. The Lady Knights definitely headed the words of their head coach as they stormed out of the gate aggressive.
Taliah Scott hit back to back three pointers, followed by a three pointer by #10 Kaylah Turner forcing an early timeout by Timber Creek as Oakleaf held a 9-5 lead at the 7 minute mark of the first quarter. Savannah Henderson would hit a three pointer for Timber Creek, however Scott would nail another three pointer to set the tine for the entire game. The first quarter ended with Oakleaf leading 23-15.
Oakleaf continued to expand their lead in the second quarter when Kaylah Turner made her second three pointer of the night and Fantasia James penetrated to get to the free throw line. The lead got up to as much as 11 points in the quarter, however Colleen Shanahan would keep Timber Creek close with baskets and free throws. Oakleaf took a 37-30 lead into halftime.
Timber Creek was a bigger team and they began to show their size advantage in the third quarter. Henderson was able to cut the lead to 39-36 in the third quarter, but that was as close as they would get as Oakleaf took advantage of the Timber Wolves double team of Taliah Scott by penetrating and getting to the basket. Geniyah Durante made three big three pointers in the third quarter as Oakleaf took a 57-49 lead into the fourth.
With the Final 4 in its sights, Oakleaf kept the pressure on, making big stops in the critical final quarter. Trinity Freebee would hit big shots and get to the free throw line. Also Fantasia James knocked down big shots as well as Oakleaf outscored Timber Creek 19-12 in the fourth to close out the contest.
After the game sophomore Taliah Scott reflected on her opportunity to play in Lakeland, “It’s crazy, I came over to Oakleaf and all I wanted to do was win a state championship and we’re on our way to a Final 4”. Scott led from the onset scoring 22 points and hitting five 3-pointers in the first half.
Oakleaf’s Taliah Scott, Fantasia James and Kaylah Turner all just sophomores will face Plant (24-3) led by senior Kendal Cheesman and Nyla Jean. The game will be played Friday 2/26/21.
Featured Image courtesy of Ivan Jennings
