Grandview Prep girls basketball is onto the state finals.
Last year, the Pride defeated North Florida Educational Institute in the Class 1A state title game, 69-58. In this year’s semifinal rematch, things weren’t nearly as close.
Head coach Jeff Price preached the important of “breaking their spirit” early, and the Pride (25-4) accomplished just that, defeating the Fighting Eagles, 65-36, in dominant fashion.
The Class 1A top-seed watched North Florida Educational Institute (16-15) score the opening bucket before scoring the next 13 — by the time the Fighting Eagles had managed their second bucket, the Pride had built up a 32-5 lead.
“We talked a lot about getting off to a great start, not letting their patience bother us,” Price said. “Just kind of breaking their spirit early. Last year that didn’t happen when we played them, we kind of let them hang around.”
Grandview Prep was led by Ameera Kone’s 24 points and eight rebounds, while Arizona commit Jasleen Green contributed 20 points and 13 rebounds for an early double-double.
Victoria Valle tallied an additional 17 points, while Jackie Hughes rounded out the offensive explosion for the Pride, who were able to activate cruise control in the second half.
“We kept talking about getting multiple stops, and our stops kept multiplying,” Price said. “And then all of a sudden, we’re at the other end. That was the key, is just really on the defensive end making things go.”
North Florida Institute players entered the game in the aftermath of a flu bug that had affected some of the players, which didn’t bode well against the Pride’s aggressive defense forcing shots that at times looked rushed.
Grandview Prep entered the game on the back-end of a national schedule among the most difficult of any girls basketball team in the state of Florida, and the girls responded to that preparation in kind.
“I think that really paid off,” Price said. “That was the goal, to have a big payoff at this time of the year. And I think it was very evident.”
The Pride will play Orlando Christian Prep (21-7) for a state title on Saturday, March 7, at noon.
Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Grandview Prep girls basketball heads to state championship
Reporting by Alexander Peterman, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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