JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A packed gym and loud crowd set the stage for an exciting Final Four battle between Impact Christian Academy and Victory Christian Academy. In the end, Victory Christian pulled away late to win 54–48, ending a remarkable season for Impact Christian, who finished with a strong 27–4 record.
Right from the start, both teams came out ready to compete. Victory Christian struck first when #32 MJ McCalla scored a two-point basket to give his team a 2–0 lead.
MJ McCalla scores first ! 2-0 Victory Christian!
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 6, 2026
Impact Christian Academy (27-4) vs Victory Christian Academy (26-4)! Class 1A Final 4 pic.twitter.com/phVELqHE6T
However, Impact quickly answered. Soon after, #21 Mechack Olungu powered inside for a basket to tie the game at 4–4 after an early timeout by Impact head coach Ben Jones.
Mechack Olungu with the first buckets for Impact! Impact is leading 9-5,1st ,1:26
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 6, 2026
Impact Christian Academy (27-4) vs Victory Christian Academy (26-4)! Class 1A Final 4 pic.twitter.com/42nnAvtkWu
Momentum then began to shift. Impact Christian’s offense found its rhythm when #23 Frandy Perez knocked down a three-pointer, giving Impact a 7–5 lead. Olungu continued to dominate the paint, scoring again as Impact pushed ahead. By the end of the first quarter, Impact Christian held a narrow 11–9 advantage.
Next, Impact’s guards stepped up. #2 Jeremiah Jones scored on a strong drive, and #1 Ronald Clark followed with a basket of his own. Their quick scoring helped Impact stretch the lead to 15–9. Olungu added another bucket to keep the pressure on.
Ronald Clark soars for the layup!! Impact goes into halftime tied with Victory 17-17!
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 6, 2026
Impact Christian Academy (27-4) vs Victory Christian Academy (26-4)! Class 1A Final 4 pic.twitter.com/Kuxvn4rO0K
Still, Victory Christian refused to back down. McCalla added a free throw, and then #11 Christian Fuller and #20 Arik Arik each scored inside. Their late run tied the game at 17–17 heading into halftime.
After the break, Victory Christian came out with energy. They ran frequent sets to give open shooters looks. Fuller benefited, he scored again to give Victory a 21–17 lead early in the third quarter. However, Impact Christian responded. Olungu scored inside, and then #5 Wendy Lagos hit a big three-pointer to give Impact a 26–25 lead.
The game continued to swing back and forth. Fuller helped Victory regain the lead, but Perez answered with a basket to tie the game at 37–37. Moments later, senior Jeremiah Jones drained a clutch three-pointer that brought the Jacksonville crowd to its feet and pushed Impact ahead 40–37.
Jeremiah Jones brings the UNF Arean to their feet with a big 23-pointer! Impact takes the lead! But Victory cons back with a score timeout! Impact leads 40-39, 4th ,5:00
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 6, 2026
Impact Christian Academy (27-4) vs Victory Christian Academy)! Class 1A Final 4 pic.twitter.com/Rypslv64eU
Head coach Ben Jones looked like he made the right adjustments to get his team over the hump as they have done all season. Big shots, and big stops down the stretch. Unfortunately for Impact, Victory Christian finished stronger down the stretch.
With about four minutes left, #1 Ronald Clark scored inside to give Impact a 42–39 lead. But Victory Christian quickly responded. #4 Tucker Fox hit a huge three-pointer to put Victory back on top, and #33 Thok Gol added another basket.
Tucker Fox gives Victory a 48-45 lead over Impact! Big 2-pointer! He would also score on a fast break! Victory has a 50-45 lead with 30 seconds left pic.twitter.com/Tt0GYhihvU
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 6, 2026
Fox then took control of the final minutes. He scored again, grabbed a crucial late steal, and calmly knocked down four free throws to seal the victory.
Clark hit one last three-pointer for Impact, but it wasn’t enough.
Ronald Clark the captain hits his final 3-pointer for Impact! What a high school career! But his Impact Christian Academy Lions fall short in the Final Four, 54-48 to Victory Christian! pic.twitter.com/b3wQEFXbgG
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 6, 2026
Victory Christian improved to 25–6 and will now face Sagemont Prep in the championship game on March 7 at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Impact Christian’s impressive season ends with another Final 4 appearance, but just one win short of the title game.
