North Broward Prep drops triple OT thriller in boys basketball state final four debut
North Broward Prep defied expectations multiple times this season to advance to its first state boys basketball final four.
The Eagles once again proved they were ready for any challenge on Thursday afternoon… even playing three extra periods of overtime.
But sometimes one or two mistakes can unravel even the best efforts.
A pair of turnovers in the closing moments of the third overtime ultimately doomed North Broward Prep to come away from it state tournament, debut empty-handed, following a 58-55 loss to St. Petersburg Gibbs in a Class 4A semifinal at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
After the Eagles (24-8) spent most of the third OT winding out the clock for a potential game-winning possession, a turnover led to Gibbs guard, Jacob Daniels earning a trip to the foul line where he converted one of two shots to give the Gladiators a 56-55 lead with seven seconds remaining.
On the ensuing inbound pass, Daniels made the play of the game when he tied up Eagles guard Ryan Baxley for a jump ball. The possession arrow was in favor of Gibbs and allowed Isaiah Medina to knock down two more free throws to seal the outcome.
“We were part of a really good basketball game. We came up a few plays short,” North Broward Prep coach Casey Wohlleb said. “Hats off to Gibbs, they made some nice adjustments and showed some energy at the end.”
Eagles 6-8 senior wing Enrico Borio delivered a superb performance, and he totaled 30 points and 10 rebounds while Raul Perez Ruiz finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
North Broward Prep committed 15 turnovers, including several key moments, which contributed to 18 points for Gibbs.
“I think the turnovers killed us, and we weren’t nervous this would’ve gone different,” Ruiz said.
The Eagles lead 39-30 entering the fourth quarter. But the combination of Daniels and Oneal Delancy brought Gibbs back nearly secured the wind in regulation. but Ruiz scored with a minute left to tie the game at 47. Daniels’ shot at the buzzer hit rim sending the game to overtime moments later.
Borio made two free throws with 23.6 seconds left in the first overtime to give North Broward Prep a 53-51 lead. But Bobby Crawford threw a foul with 10.6 left and hit both free throws to tie the game and send it to a second OT.
Late in the second overtime, Borio have the ball in his hands with a chance to win it, but was called for an offensive foul with 20.1 seconds left.
“At the end of every overtime, we…I messed up on some plays,” Borio said. “And it was just little details that killed us. It was a great experience for everybody. We were very happy to come up here but it’s just sad that we didn’t get it done.”
North Broward Prep will have to do some reloading if it hopes to return to Lakeland next season. The Eagles graduate three of their starters from a team that ousted Calvary Christian and defending state champion Mater Lakes in the regional playoffs.
“It’s been a lot of fun to coach this team,” Wohlleb said. “I guess a good way to put it is that it’s gonna be sad that we’re not going to wash our practice uniforms to get another practice.”
