University Christian Blossoming At The Right Time For A Championship

Lakeland Fl- If it’s February, that means it’s that time again for championship girls basketball in Florida. And as usual, there are two teams present that have made a habit of representing Northeast Florida in the Final 4. Check out how University Christian got here, and some of the players to watch out for in the Final 4.

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Class 2A: University Christian

Head Coach: Cory Hill

Record 18-11

Schedule:

Date	Opponent	Result
11/166:30p	@ Bartram Trail (St. Johns, FL)Location: Bartram Trail High School	(W) 61 – 43
11/186:00p	@ Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Andrew Jackson High School	(L) 46 – 44
11/203:00p	@ Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL)Location: Oakleaf High School	(L) 75 – 68
11/226:15p	Duluth (Duluth, GA)Game Details: Insider Exposure (Bolles)	(L) 42 – 36
11/236:30p	Ponte Vedra (Ponte Vedra, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 52 – 43
12/26:00p	@ Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Sandalwood High School	(W) 58 – 49
12/36:00p	Bolles (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 58 – 50 (OT)
12/76:00p	Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 69 – 17
12/97:00p	@ Orange Park (Orange Park, FL)Location: Orange Park High School	(L) 60 – 54
12/136:30p	Mandarin (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(L) 59 – 47
12/176:00p	@ Baker County (Glen St. Mary, FL)Location: Baker County High School	(W) 61 – 25
12/293:00p	Booker (Sarasota, FL)Game Details: Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel	(L) 61 – 59
12/3011:30a	Viera (Viera, FL)Game Details: TBCI Tournament	(W) 61 – 34
12/319:00a	North Port (North Port, FL)	(W) 50 – 36
1/17:00p	Bolles (Jacksonville, FL)	(L) 47 – 45
1/46:00p	@ Fleming Island (Orange Park, FL)Location: Fleming Island High School	(L) 41 – 38
1/116:00p	@ Yulee (Yulee, FL)Location: Yulee High School	(W) 55 – 22
1/152:00p	@ St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park, FL)Location: St. Johns Country Day High School	(L) 61 – 49
1/176:00p	@ Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Trinity Christian Academy	(W) 65 – 17
1/187:00p	@ Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Bishop Kenny High School	(L) 54 – 32
1/256:30p	Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville, FL)Location: University Christian High School	(W) 58 – 51
1/276:30p	@ Creekside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Creekside High School	(L) 48 – 45
1/286:00p	@ Bolles (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Bolles High School	(W) 56 – 48
2/16:00p	Saint Francis Catholic (Gainesville, FL)Location: University Christian High School2022 Girls Basketball District Tournaments – 2A District 4	(W) 75 – 13
2/35:00p	Oak Hall (Gainesville, FL)Location: University Christian High School2022 Girls Basketball District Tournaments – 2A District 4	(W) 70 – 34
2/47:00p	@ St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park, FL)Location: St. Johns Country Day High School2022 Girls Basketball District Tournaments – 2A District 4	(W) 64 – 50
2/107:00p	Aucilla Christian (Monticello, FL)2022 Girls Basketball State Tournament – 2A	(W) 48 – 14
2/157:00p	Munroe (Quincy, FL)2022 Girls Basketball State Tournament – 2A	(W) 58 – 18
2/187:00p	Florida A&M (Tallahassee, FL)2022 Girls Basketball State Tournament – 2A	(W) 55 – 53

What a year for University Christian and head coach Cory Hill. For most of the year consistency was a struggle for UC, until the end of the season when they defeated Bolles 56- 48 to cap off a 7- game winning streak, their longest of the season. Those wins included a 64-50 contest over St. Johns Country Day, a team they lost to earlier in the season. Senior Taijshiah Baldwin leads the team in several categories averaging 17.0ppg, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals. She’s had some great performances including one against Ponte Vedra when she scored 26 points bringing her team back from 24 down in the fourth to win 52-43 back in November.

Got to see @WBBFlagler in action today with @taibaldwin8 and @its_lariel 🏀🏀 pic.twitter.com/dKqif45lry

— University Christian Girls Basketball (@UCS_GBB) November 27, 2021

By her side is Senior Monique Cepeda is second on the team averaging 11.4 points per game. It’s indeed a team full of senior leadership, as Lariel Green has made several plays for the team averaging 8.2 ppg. Then there is young talent too, as Alanna Tatum leads the team in assists with 1.4 a game as an eighth grader.

UC will take on 26-4 Faith Christian in Lakeland on 2/23/22. The Lions are led by sophomore Dezmariah Soto who averages 13.0ppg, and Camryn Patterson who averages 10.9 ppg. Common opponents include St Johns Country Day whom Faith Christin defeated 53-34 in November. The Lions also defeated local power house Bishop Kenny 47-41 in December.

Click HERE To Watch University Christian vs Faith Christian

The Christians look to Lakeland again. They made it to the state championship in 2015-2016 falling to Miami Country Day 76-46. Now, after several trips to the Elie 8 the last six years ( 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018) they are ready for another chance at a championship, and blossoming at the right time.