Newberry’s boys basketball team saw their season come to an end on Saturday night in Jacksonville. In a hard-fought game, the Newberry Panthers, who entered as the No. 2 seed, were unable to overcome the top-seeded Andrew Jackson team, losing 75-60 in the FHSAA Class 3A-Region 1 Final. Despite the defeat, Newberry finished the season with an impressive record of 21-4.
Andrew Jackson displayed their dominance, advancing to their third consecutive state semifinal with a remarkable record of 28-1. Newberry’s head coach, Patrick Green, reflected on the challenging atmosphere of the game and praised his team for their tremendous effort throughout the match.
A Game of Runs
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. Newberry’s Kai Washington led his team with 16 points, including a crucial 3-pointer to tie the game early. However, Andrew Jackson’s Corenzes Dennard was a standout performer, scoring a game-high 21 points and helping his team establish an early 11-0 run in the first quarter. Newberry found themselves trailing by 15 points in the second quarter but battled back to reduce the deficit to just 8 points by halftime, with a score of 38-30.
In the third quarter, Juwan Scippio stepped up for Newberry, scoring 11 of his 15 points and helping the Panthers close the gap to just 45-43. Unfortunately, Andrew Jackson responded with a decisive 9-0 run in the fourth quarter, showcasing their athleticism and experience, which included a highlight-worthy steal and dunk by Terrell Mosely II and a critical 3-pointer from Langston Hackworth.
Season Reflection
This loss marked the end of the season for nine Newberry seniors, who are recognized as the winningest class in the school’s basketball history. Coach Green expressed immense pride in this group, calling them the best he has ever coached. Washington also noted that missed free throws were a significant factor in the game’s outcome, a sentiment echoed by the entire team, who aimed to end Jackson’s dominance in the Region Finals.
Gainesville-area teams faced a tough day overall, going 0-4 in Region Finals. Columbia, the highest-seeded team at No. 7 in Class 5A-Region 1, lost to Fleming Island, while Buchholz and Eastside also fell short against their opponents. Newberry’s defeat against Andrew Jackson, who claimed their third straight region title and eighth in nine years, highlights the competitive spirit and resilience of high school basketball in the region.
For more details about the game and its context, you can read the full coverage on Main Street Daily News and Gainesville.com.