Jordan Christian Prep overcomes controversy, rolls to FIHSAA state title
BABSON PARK — Jordan Christian Prep built a double-digit lead in the first half and withstood some third-quarter controversy before pulling away in the fourth quarter.
The Seahawks' final margin of victory in their 64-45 victory was indicative of their dominance of Young Kids in Motion on Friday afternoon in the FIHSAA state championship game at Webber International.
The final score, however, doesn't indicate how close the game became in the third quarter with some controversial calls that initially led one Seahawk being disqualified from the game and another having been ruled as fouling out in the third quarter, although the number of fouls he had were disputed.
"Your in a championship game, so you never know what's going to happen," JCP coach Mike Guestella said. "I think the game was chippy in the first half, and I think the referees were trying to overcompensate. We should have done a better job of calming the guys down."
The controversy and the multiple conferences at the scorers table took the Seahawks out of their game and allowed YKIM to close the gap to seven points, 47-40.
However, JCP regrouped and closed out the game with a 17-5 run. Guard Edgar Rasch got the game back under control, and as they did in the first half, the Seahawks created turnovers that started fast breaks, which ended with layups.
"We play fast," Guestella said. "This group is a lot different than any group we've had. They play some great basketball. They're unselfish."
Sophomore William Rayes-Monantez was dominating and finished with 26 points. He was at the center of the first controversy when he picked up technical foul in the third quarter, which initially disqualified him for having picked ups second technical.
After a lengthy discussion at the scorers tables, it was ruled that the earlier call in the first half was ruled a delay of game warning not a technical foul.
Later in the quarter, Zay Mosely, one of the top scorers for JCP, fouled out, although JCP disputed the number of fouls he had. Mosely finished with just seven points.
Darryl Hendrickson scored 11 points for JCP, and Rasch added five but was created opportunities with his passes off penetration.
JCP next will head to the national tournament in Tennessee in two weeks.
JCP girls cruise to title
The Jordan Christian Prep girls team got the day started on the right track for the school with a dominating 58-20 victory over YKIM.
Eighth-grader Amelia Williams scored a team-high 29 points, including 24 in the first half as the Seahawks cruised to the easy win.
JCP's swarming defense created turnovers that they turned into easy layups.
Sacoria Henderson supported Williams with 16 points, and N Morales added eight points.
The Seahawks are a young squad. Morales is the only senior, and there are two juniors, including Henderson.
Roy Fuoco can be reached at roy.fuoco@theledger.com or at 863-802-7526. Follow him on Twitter: @RoyFuoco.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Jordan Christian Prep overcomes controversy, rolls to FIHSAA state title
