Finals Frenzy: Rickards girls basketball comeback from 10 point deficit to claim district gold

Like a boxing match, Friday night's Class 5A District 2 girls basketball title game was a heavyweight clash.

Top-seeded Rickards hosted No. 2 Ridgeview with both programs exchanging haymakers before the Raiders landed the knock-out blow to claim a 51-46 win and the Class 5A District 2 title.

A battle between two top 10 programs in 5A, it was a game almost suited for a Regional final. Ridgeview beat Rickards twice last season, in the district final and regional quarters, and the Raiders (20-5) were determined to top the Panthers en route to a first district title in two seasons.

“It felt really great, we lost to them twice last year and it felt so good to get it done this year," Rickards guard Lauryn Pye said. "We had to play hard and we had to get our get back."

Pye was crucial to the Raiders second-half turnaround. Down by as many as nine points in the third quarter, Pye forced turnovers and scored transition buckets to keep Rickards within striking distance.

Entering the fourth quarter down three, Pye (10 points) and Genesis Henry (20 points) took over as the Raiders scored 22 points in the final period of play to cap off the comeback and win the district title. Both players credited the defensive effort in the second half as the reason for the win. “We just needed to get in their face, we knew they couldn't handle our pressure, so it was all about the defense for us," Pye said. "Our defense won us the game tonight.”

“It was all about our defense and being able to execute,” Henry added.

Winning the district title, the expectation for the Raiders is to now make a deep run into the postseason and compete for a state championship. Friday's win boosted the team's confidence and Rickards head coach Chariya Davis said her team is motivated to do something special.

Davis motivates her group by having the team look at the final four banners and team photos hanging in the gym and hallways of Rickards.

"They're very motivated and we have them look at the banners every day to try and show them the blueprint to follow," Davis said. "They want to be like these teams and be better than those teams. So they need to follow the blueprint, and I'm excited."

Being able to get the win over Ridgeview in comeback fashion gives Davis confidence in her squad heading into regionals. Even on a night where the Raiders offense was cold for most of the night, the defense stepped up.

"I'll say it again, offense sells tickets but defense wins championships because if you can defend people even when your offense is having a bad night, your defense will carry you to the win," Davis said. "We've been preaching defense, defense, defense, that's what we are all about."

District title results

1A District 4: Crossroad Academy vs. Aucilla Christian

No score currently reported

1A District 5: Madison County tops Hillard

The Cowgirls reign supreme in Class 1A District 5, beating Hillard 49-33 to claim a second straight district title.

Heading into regionals with a 20-4 record, the Cowboys could make a deep run into the postseason and should be considered a legit contender for the 1A State title.

2A District 1: Munroe defeats L.E.A.D Academy

The Bobcats are district champions after a convincing 48-42 win over L.E.A.D Academy Friday night.

Despite the six-point margin of victory, Munroe led from state to finish in this one to claim district gold.

3A District 1: Florida beats Rocky Bayou Christian

The Seminoles are district champions after a dominant showing in the district tournament.

Claiming the district title with a 45-31 win over the Knights, Florida High is riding a momentum wave heading into the regional tournament.

4A District 2: Godby falls on the road to Rutherford

The Cougars have been one of the stories of the season, and for now, this chapter ends with defeat.

Falling to top-seeded Rutherford 56-25 in the 4A District 2 title game, Godby has a good chance to head to the regional rounds with an at-large bid.

6A District 2: Lincoln survives overtime with Gainsville

The Trojans are district champs.

A year after finishing with a 13-14 record, Linoln sits at 21-4 and winner of the 6A District 2 title after a 51-49 overtime win over the Hurricanes on Friday night. One of the top teams in 6A, Lincoln still has lots to play for.

Regional Semifinal Soccer

Boys

Maclay blank P.K. Yonge 8-0 to advance to region final. The Marauders dominance in 3A continues, shutting out visiting P.K. Yonge 8-0 and booking its spot in the 3A Region 1 final on Thursday, Feb. 14. Maclay is the top seed in the region and is ranked the Xx team in the entire 3A Classification by the FHSAA, establishing the Marauders as a legitimate contender for a state championship.

Maclay will be facing a familiar foe in the regional final, as Florida High awaits the Marauders. It will be a 3A District 2 rematch, with the game scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14, at Maclay school, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

Florida High stun Bolles 2-0 on the road

The third-seeded Seminoles are marching into the 3A Region 1 final with palpable confidence, beating No. 2 Bolles 2-0 on the road to secure a district title rematch with Maclay in the regional final.

On a crash course with the Marauders, a win for the Seminoles in the final could propel state championship aspirations for Florida High. Ranked as Xx team in 3A, Thursday's final is sure to be a must-watch.

The 3A Region 1 final is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14, at Maclay School, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

Wakulla upset Bishop Kenny, advance to region final as 8 seed

Catch them if you can, the War Eagles are flying.

For the second game in a row, the eight-seeded Wakulla has gone on the road and picked up a 2-0 win. Beating Bishop Kenny Thursday night, The War Eagles head into the 4A Region 1 final with victories over the No. 1 and 4 seeds.

Wakulla will face another high seed on a shock run, traveling to No. 7 South Walton on Thursday, Feb. 14, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Community Christian falls to Bell in double overtime regional semi

The Chargers historic season comes to an end in the 2A Region 1 semifinals.

Falling to No. 4 Bell 1-0 in double overtime, Community Christian ends the season with an 8-6-1 record and winners of the Class 2A District 1 championship.

Girls

Maclay falls on the road to P.K. Yonge

The Marauders season comes to an end in the regional semifinal round, falling to P.K. Yonge 3-0 Friday night.

Maclay finishes the year with a 12-6-1 record.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Rickards girls basketball win district title, 4 other programs claim gold