Look: Cameron and Cayden Boozer lead Columbus to upset of Dr. Phillips in Florida 7A state championship

Cayden Boozer's free throw was the difference in Columbus' 45-44 win

LAKELAND, Fla. - It came down to the final seconds, and freshman Cayden Boozer came through.

Boozer hit 1-of-2 free throws with five seconds left to lift Columbus to a 45-44 victory over No. 7 Dr. Phillips in the Florida 7A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday night.

After Boozer's free throw gave Columbus (28-2) the lead, Dr. Phillips' Riley Kugel missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.

It's the first state championship in school history for Columbus.

The Explorers were led by freshman forward Cameron Boozer - Cayden's twin brother - who finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Cayden Boozer finished with 9 points, and Malik Abdullahi finished with 7 points.

 “The first one is always a special one," said Columbus head coach Andrew Moran. "These kids have worked with me since June of last year, and to be champions in the end ... can’t ask for anything better.”

“I’ve been playing with these kids since second grade, these guys are my brothers and I would do anything for them,” said Cameron Boozer.

Dr. Phillips (26-7) was led by Mississippi State commit Kugel who finished with 17 points and six rebounds. Florida commit Denzel Aberdeen also finished with 17 points and hit the game-tying 3-pointer to knot the game at 44-44 with 13 seconds to play.

Ernest Udeh fouled Cayden Boozer with five seconds left, sending him to the free throw line for the game-winning free throw. Boozer split the free throws to give the Explorers a 1-point lead.

PHOTO GALLERY

(All photos by Annette Wilkerson)

Photo by Annette Wilkerson

Photo by Annette Wilkerson

Photo by Annette Wilkerson

Photo by Annette Wilkerson