Florida 2A Girls Basketball Semifinals: Central Florida Christian and Evangelical Christian to meet for title

Eagles slip by Miami Christian; Sentinels score a double-digit victory over University Christian

LAKELAND, FLORIDA - The FHSAA Girls Class 2A state championship game match-up is all set, after Central Florida Christian and Evangelical Christian each won semifinal contests, Tuesday, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The two squads will now meet for the state championship, at RP Funding Center, on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

In the opening game of the semifinal double-header at the RP Funding Center, Central Florida Christian edged Florida Christian, 51-47.

CFC held a 3-point lead at the half, in this tightly contested battle, but Miami Christian grabbed a 35-33 lead after three quarters.

A three-pointer from Valeria Munoz gave Central Florida a 42-41 lead with 4:35 to play and the Eagles grew their lead to 47-41, with 2:14 to play, when Aariah Denmark hit 1-of-2 free throws. Five points from Isabella Aversa, including a three-pointer, and a basket by Jaylyn Laguna brought Miami Christian back within one, at 48-47 with 54 seconds left, by CFC was able to ice it with three late free throws.

Denmark paced the Central Florida scoring with 14 points. She also had five rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. Trinity Harden also reach double-digits with 10 points.

In defeating University Christian, 59-43, Evangelical Christian took command with a 18-8 run in the opening quarter and the Sentinels grew their lead to 28-14 by halftime.

Evangelical Christian was led by Zaira Mitchell's double-double as she scored 14 points and snared a game-high 11 rebounds.  Arielle Marc scored a team-high 15 points for EC, while Kellisia Grant added 13 points. Marc also added eight rebounds and three assists.

University Christian's Kamela Marshall led all scorers with 17 points and teammate Alanna Tatum added 14.