Riviera Prep boys basketball advances to state semis after holding off Westminster Academy

There may not have been a trophy on hand, but you would have been hard-pressed to guess that based on Riviera Prep’s joyous celebrations.

Riviera Prep advanced to the state final four for the second time ever after holding off a furious fourth quarter comeback attempt from Westminster Academy to prevail, 77-64, in an intense Region 4-3A final that included three buzzer beaters and a fan ejection.

The Bulldogs (23-7), who will play Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in a Class 3A state semifinal at The RP Funding Center in Lakeland, were cruising to the finish line, but endured a nervy finish after going ice cold in the final period. Riviera scored just three points in the fourth while the Lions (22-7) put up 25, which brought the home team as close as nine points.

“We were playing a hell of a team and at some point they were going to fight back and give us their best punch,” Riviera Prep coach Anthony Shahbaz said. “They did that, but we were able to withstand it and move forward and finish the game. Not how I wanted, but at this point it is a win and advance.”

Fueled by a game-high 26 points from senior guard Esteban Lluberes, Riviera was comfortably ahead 61-39 through three quarters. Lluberes scored 12 points from beyond the arc, including a deep buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter.

Some red-hot fourth quarter shooting from freshman Westminster guard Alex Lloyd brought the Lions within reach, however, as he scored 14 of their 25 points in the final quarter.

Lloyd finished with a team-high 23 points on the night while center Jaylen Curry, who was in tears before and the after the game, added 22.

Ultimately, Riviera’s defense clamped down, giving the visiting team the victory.

“Our defense has been our staple all year,” Shahbaz said. “We are going to ride our defense all the way. The offense was a bonus.”

Senior center Edward Nnamoko contributed 10 points for Riviera, including two off a baseline buzzer beater at the end of the second quarter and two more on an alley-oop dunk that drew a foul.

This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 9:57 PM.