Lakeland FL- It was a tall order for Impact in their Class 2A state championship game, facing an undefeated Orlando Christian Prep team looking for their ninth state championship. OCP and Impact met earlier in the year, with the Warriors blowing out the Lions 65-35. It was Impact’s goal to not only avenge that loss, but avenge their 2020 state championship loss to them from a year earlier. Though the Lions had a much better showing this time, they would fall short of their goal for a first state championship in school history.
The main reason for their better showing was center Ivan Lawson. The 6’5 senior started the game hot, hitting shots down low and a big three pointer in the first quarter. He continued his strong play from the state semifinal game, where he set the tone scoring the game’s first points leading to a victory over Southwest Florida Christian.
Another reason for Impact’s courageous showing was freshman Taylor Thompson. Thompson also continued his impressive showing on the big stage, hitting two three pointers in the first half of the state championship game. Thompson also contributed mightily to Impact’s semifinal win, and it looked as if the championship game might be close as Impact trailed Orlando Christian Prep 28-21 at halftime.
The second half was a different story, as turnovers and sloppy play plagued Impact. After a great play by Deavan Knowles to Kelvin Johnson started the third quarter, it slowly unraveled for the Lions. Much of it was Impact’s own doing. Calvin Johnson struggled all game to get in rhythm. He and Knowles missed critical free throws in the game that could’ve stopped the momentum by the Warriors. Unfortunately, this was the story for the talented senior (Johnson), who led Impact all year averaging 13.7 points per game.
Then there was another part to the story, and that was OCP’s talented roster. Junior 6’4 guard AJ Brown knocked down jumpers and Ven Allen Lubin got to the rack with his 6’7 athleticism. Controlling the paint was 6’10 sophomore Jayden Hastings, who blocked shots on defense. It was their defense that forced Impact to settle for shots from the perimeter. Shots that Impact knocked down early in the contest, but struggled to do so once the Warriors dialed up more pressure. That pressure brought home the prize for OCP, an undefeated season (27-0) and ninth state championship trophy (back to back titles).
For the second consecutive year, Impact would fall to Orlando Christian Prep, this time 51-32 as Class 2A State Runners-Up. It is their third state runner-up finish in four years, a remarkable job by sixth year head coach Ben Jones and his staff. Said Jones of his players this year, “I am definitely proud of them. Had some struggles to start the season but they were extremely resilient and just kept grinding”.
Impact finishes the season 20-9 after starting 4-6. Returning are junior forward Kelvin Johnson, junior guard Deavan Knowles, and freshman guard Taylor Thompson, which should give the Impact faithful much optimism for next year. They’ll look to scale the tall test that is winning a championship, a climb they’ve gotten closer and closer to every year.
AJ Brown 18
Ven-Allen Lubin 14
Impact Christian Academy
Ivan Lawson 17
Taylor Thompson 10
