(This story has been updated to add new information and to add a photo or video.)
Bishop Kenny turned the tables on four-time state champions Ribault, avenging last year’s playoff exit by winning 50-38 in the Florida High School Athletic Association Region 1-4A boys basketball quarterfinals on Feb. 14.
The Trojans (12-14) kept clawing back and cut the gap to six points on Roderick Love’s three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, but Bishop Kenny’s Drew Jackson and James Davis III connected for a 6-0 run to put the game away.
Jackson scored a game-high 16 points for the No. 1-seeded Crusaders (24-3), who hold home-court advantage throughout regionals. Ribault had topped Bishop Kenny by 27 points in the 2025 FHSAA regionals.
“We’ve done a much better job this year of rebounding, and I think that showed tonight,” Bishop Kenny coach Jerry Buckley said.
Senior Zion Hall led Ribault with nine points.
The Crusaders advance to a Feb. 21 home playoff against Pensacola (18-9), which won 72-55 against Baker County behind a Noah Jones double-double (19 points, 13 rebounds) as well as 15 points from Rupert Sproles and 12 from Jabari Epps.
Joel Carver scored 17 and Brady Jacobs had 10 for Baker County (23-4), Northeast Florida’s highest-scoring team of the regular season.
Also exiting postseason was Raines (14-10), which lost 64-58 in the state capital against Tallahassee Godby (19-6).
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REGION 1-7A
Atlantic Coast won a battle of Coasts for the second time in a week, 56-43 over visiting Flagler Palm Coast (17-11). The Stingrays (21-6), who also beat FPC in the District 1-7A final during their most successful year ever, advance to meet Lake Mary or Oviedo Hagerty.
REGION 1-6A
A state semifinalist a year ago, Tocoi Creek survived a scare from Oviedo (19-8) to win 54-47. The Toros climb to 23-4.
Next up for Tocoi Creek will be Lake Howell (23-5), which blew the game open in the second quarter to win 86-54 against Nease (20-7).
REGION 1-5A
Boosted by a 33-point game from Jacksonville University signee Maddox Palmer, Ponte Vedra stretched its 20-win streak to six years and won 69-45 over Lynn Haven Mosley (18-10). Tyler Kroog added 15 points for the Sharks (20-7), who committed only one turnover all night. Isaiah Smith led Mosley with 15 points.
Zadrian Knowlton hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final two minutes to lead Columbia back from a 10-point fourth-quarter hole in a 66-65 stunner at Tallahassee Lincoln (20-3). Knowlton then sealed the win from the line for the Tigers (16-11), who play Ponte Vedra next.
Fleming Island bounced back from a first-quarter deficit to win 75-47 against visiting Gainesville (15-14). The Golden Eagles (20-8), seeded first, meet Pensacola Washington at home on Feb. 21.
REGION 1-3A
Top seed Jackson had no trouble in the opening round with surprise qualifier Marianna (4-23), rolling to a 94-41 rout on Main Street. The Tigers improve to 26-1.
Up next is an all-Northeast Florida clash against Bradford, which won 46-29 against host Walton (21-5). Bradford improves to 18-5.
The outside shooting machine of Episcopal (22-7) powered to another success, 72-49 against Pensacola Catholic (20-9). The Eagles soar on to meet Newberry or South Walton.
REGION 1-2A
Top seed Providence (25-3) rolled to an opening-round win over Bishop Snyder, 67-34. The Cardinals end at 9-18.
The Stallions will next take on Rocky Bayou Christian (22-6), a 69-65 winner against San Jose Prep (17-10).
A state semifinalist last year, University Christian exited in the first round with a 66-56 loss at P.K. Yonge (13-13). UC’s year closes at 13-11.
REGION 1-1A
Top seed Impact Christian began its postseason march with an 83-18 romp against visiting Meadowbrook (13-13). Impact improves to 24-4.
The Lions next take on Christ’s Church (20-7), which won 77-67 against First Coast Christian (21-7) in the teams’ second meeting in a week. Christ’s Church also won in the district tournament.
North Florida Educational Institute (14-13) jumped ahead early and went on to a 68-49 victory against Pace LEAD Academy (15-9).
NFEI next faces Tallahassee FAMU DRS (13-14), which won 62-51 against Eagle’s View. The Warriors’ year ends at 19-9.
REGION 3-R
Sophomore King McMillian scored the go-ahead basket inside the final two minutes to complete a comeback win for Hilliard, 54-49 against Union County (14-9). Lorenzo Hall added a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) for the Red Flashes (18-5), who had lost to Union County in the regular season and now play Feb. 21 at Trenton for a spot in the final four.
The Pensacola News Journal contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Boys basketball first round: Bishop Kenny, AC, Jackson, Impact advance
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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