For years, Williston boys basketball forced opposing teams to suffer through the agony of defeat.
Friday night, the Red Devils received a taste of their own medicine.
Williston came up just short in its bid for the program’s third state title in four years with a 61-56 loss to Crossroad Academy in overtime in the FHSAA Florida Rural State Championship game.
For the Scorpions, it was sweet revenge as they lost this game last season to Hawthorne in Lakeland.
This game was a new environment for Williston’s youthful squad, and it showed in the first half with nine turnovers.
However, the Red Devils continued to hang around thanks to a ferocious defense. As the game drew closer to an end, it remained purely up in the balance.
Williston held the ball for two minutes from about 2:30 to 30 seconds. It couldn’t score, but a defensive stand sent the game to overtime.
In OT, the Red Devils were ultimately undone by poor shooting – including 3-11 from the floor and 0-7 from three as the Scorpions made nine free throws on 15 attempts.
Williston boys basketball FHSAA Rural Florida State Championship game live updates
Crossroad 61, Williston 56 | 0:05, OT
It’s looking gloomy for Williston as Crossroad sits just seven seconds away from championship glory. It’ll be Scorpion ball as Crosshead heads to the foul line.
Crossroad 58, Williston 54 | 0:24, OT
Scorpions make both at the line this time, and Williston can’t make a contested three at the other end. State title dreams are slipping away for the Red Devils.
Crossroad 56, Williston 54 | 0:42, OT
Williston misses back-to-back threes, and after three straight missed free throws, Crossroad finally makes a big one to push it to a two possession game. Red Devils come back and make two at the line. It will be Scorpions ball up two.
Crossroad 55, Williston 52 | 1:17 OT
Two empty possessions for Williston prove costly as the Scorpions have the ball and will look to make it a two possession game.
Williston 52, Crossroad 51 | 2:32, OT
Traeston Armstrong’s jumper gives Williston the lead back after Camari Hale’s three point play.
End of 4: Williston 48, Crossroad 48
Phenomenal defense by the Red Devils despite two Crossroad offensive rebounds. We head to overtime with the score tied at 48, and Williston having a lot of momentum after that defensive stand.
Williston 48, Crossroad 48 | 0:11, 4th
Red Devils control the ball for two minutes with no shot clock, but instead commit a foul on Crossroad. Scorpions ball with 11 seconds left.
Williston 46, Crossroad 44 | 4:15, 4th
Two free throws from Kyson Chever gives the Red Devils the lead.
Williston 41, Crossroad 41 | 6:07, 4th
A Treston Jones layup ties the game at 41.
End of 3: Williston 37, Crossroad 37
Eight minutes left to determine a state champion. Traeston Armstrong continues to be Williston’s leading scorer, and he’s up to 10 points.
Williston 34, Crossroad 32 | 1:11, 3rd
Williston fighting through a turnover ridden and sloppy third quarter to take the lead.
Halftime: Crossroad 26, Williston 24
A huge three from Jacques Edwards cuts it from five to two points just before the half. Another four turnovers from Williston in the second quarter to put them at nine for the half. Traeston Armstrong leads all Red Devils scorers with six points. Crossroad’s Camari Hale leads all scorers with 10.
Williston 21, Crossroad 21 | 2:13, 2nd
Crossroad relying heavily on the three, and it is costing them. Scorpions are 2-7 from behind the line, and Williston has come back to tie this game. These last two minutes of the first half will be crucial.
End of 1: Crossroad 13, Williston 10
Red Devils overcome a 4-11 start shooting and trail by just three after the first quarter. Nice defense by Williston, which held the Scorpions to 5-12 shooting themselves.
Both teams sloppy to start
The moment is big so far for both Williston and Crossroad. The Red Devils with five early turnovers and the Scorpions with three. Crossroad leads 13-8 with about a minute left in the first quarter.
Williston boys basketball vs. Crossroads Academy starting lineups
Williston: Jacques Edwards Jr., Kyson Chever, Jaden McGee, Treston Jones, Marcus Appling
Crossroad Academy: Jabari Boahen, Rhodney Betsey, Jadahrien Stokes, Trenton Jones, Tyrek Jessie
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Williston boys basketball’s bid for championship glory comes up just short
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
