Sagemont slays juggernaut for second consecutive season for first ever state title repeat
For three consecutive seasons, Sagemont has faced one of the Goliaths of Florida boys basketball in Orlando Christian Prep.
The first time Goliath showed its might and crushed David as the Warriors won their 10th state title.
But over the past two years, the David in this story came back and slayed the giant not once but twice.
Sagemont and Orlando Christian Prep squared off Thursday night for the third consecutive season in the 2A state final at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
And for the second year in a row, the Lions denied one of the premier programs in the state a championship with a thrilling 50-47 victory.
Sagemont (25-6) won back to back state championships for the first time in program history and secured its fourth title overall.
“We talked about toughness in this game and the winner would protect the rim and protect the paint,” Sagemont coach David Roe said. “If we kept it around 50, I knew we were going to win it. The kids bought in and made it happen.”
With the Lions leading 46-45, senior Devontae Jean deflected the inbound pass and senior Jordyn Kee ran the ball down, drawing a foul from OCP’s Isaiah Brown in the process with 26.8 seconds left.
Kee hit both free throws to put Sagemont ahead 48-45. After Brown cut the lead to one 14.1 seconds left, that’s when Kee, who played some quarterback growing up, channeled his football instincts to break the Warriors’ full-court pressure. Kee fired a perfect full court pass to Jean who came free and dunk the ball with 5.9 left.
OCP’s Ameer Ramadan missed a three-point attempt as time expired, setting off a wild celebration on the court by Lions players and coaches.
“It feels amazing and we did so much to get where we needed to be,” Kee said. “We got here because of God and we work so hard.”
Kevin Thomas’ game-high 19 points were crucial for the Lions early on, especially his 5 of 9 shooting from 3-point range. Sagemont opened the game hot, hitting 5 of 11 attempts from long distance in the first quarter.
“Kevin is a special talent,” Roe said. “The nerves don’t get to him.”
But Sagemont cooled off from outside in the second quarter and the Warriors took advantage with an 11-0 run to close out the first half.
With a made triple, Jean ignited an 8-0 run for the Lions to open the third quarter that tied the game at 28.
“My coaches told me to be confident and we didn’t put our heads down at all,” Thomas said. “I’m always confident to take those shots. All of us came together and we fought as one.”
Jean put Sagemont ahead 45-41 with four minutes left in the fourth with another three-pointer and then made huge plays down the stretch at both ends of the floor.
Patrick Liburd, who transferred in before the season and led Sagemont in scoring this season, was held to only two points until late in the third quarter. Liburd scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lions hang on.
“It’s awesome. I feel blessed,” Liburd said. “Nothing was falling in the first half, but I kept attacking and kept believing in my teammates and trying to make an impact.”
Liburd and Thomas will form a core that Sagemont will try to build around next season as it tries to become the third Broward County team to win three consecutive state titles.
“Hopefully the next one is sweeter,” Roe said. “Each title is different. Completely different makeup but equally enjoyable. I’m just glad that three of our players (Dominic Issa, Ryan Eddy and Sean Jean-Mary) got to be a part of the first back-to-back in school history.”
This story was originally published February 29, 2024 at 11:38 PM.
