Providence boys basketball advances to the 2A State Title game after a decisive 59-43 victory over Northside Christian, seeking their first state title since 2015.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With their 16th straight win of the season, Providence boys basketball punched their ticket to the 2A State Title game for the first time in more than 10 years.
«First half was tough we were in a little bit of foul problems, bounced back in the second half and then we were able to kind of do what we do and what we’ve done all season,» Providence head boys basketball coach said. «We’re excited about being in the game tomorrow and being able to finish it and go 1-0 tomorrow night.»
The one seeded Stallions (28-3) led by two at halftime and got out to as much as a 10 point lead in the third quarter. The Mustangs got within five in the fourth quarter but the Stallions stormed home to knock off Northside Christian 59-43.
Point guard Luke Mayberry led the Stallions with 14 points, while Will Stewart and Marvin Christie both had 12. Four of Christie’s points came off the back of emphatic dunks to start the third quarter.
«I was getting in my groove in my beginning you know I was trying to play it safe but god told me in the middle half he was like ‘hey go out there and dunk it’ and that’s what I did,» Christie said. «It’s amazing being in this UNF Arena because it’s right next to home, my whole family could show up and more than just my family my friends could be here.»
Providence will play Miami Country Day at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday for the 2A State Title. The Stallions are in search of their fourth state title, their first since 2015 and the first for a Jacksonville boys team in a decade.
