Sagemont overcomes slow start to win fourth consecutive boys’ hoops state title
Weston Sagemont Prep senior Kevin Thomas stood on the court at UNF Arena on Saturday night wearing three gold medals.
Several of his teammates, including junior Noah Francois and sophomore Ezra Gelin joined in a number of celebratory hugs with teammates.
This was a reality that some didn’t feel like could come true for the Lions just four months ago.
The aforementioned three players were the only ones on the court last season when Sagemont beat Lakeland Victory Christian for its third state title in a row.
And Thomas, an LSU signee, started this season at Montverde Academy before choosing to return to Sagemont in December.
“My first game back, I said I would come back (to Sagemont) because I forgot to pick up a ‘four-peat’,” Thomas said.
Thomas’ prediction came true on Saturday night as his 21 points, six rebounds and three steals helped the Lions outlast Lakeland Victory Christian for a 67-63 victory in the Class 1A state championship game.
With its fans wearing T-shirts that read “All 4 Won,” Sagemont (24-6) celebrated its fourth consecutive state championship and the sixth in its program’s history after beating the Storm (25-7) for the second year in a row in the state final.
The Lions joined Fort Lauderdale Dillard as the only Broward County schools to win four consecutive boys’ basketball state championships.
This year’s victory was a lot more difficult for Sagemont than last year’s 84-59 triumph in Lakeland.
“This one is special because this was pretty much a whole new group,” Sagemont coach David Roe said. “We started 1-3 and it took a while to put this together with a bunch of new kids so it felt a lot like the first one. I’m just glad they were able to add to the legacy of our program.”
The Lions trailed 32-28 early in the second half before exploding for a 15-2 surge, which nearly settled the outcome.
Victory Christian battled back in the fourth quarter, however, behind the sharp shooting of senior guard Tucker Fox, who finished with 26 points and shot 7 of 13 from 3-point range.
Fox’s last of those triples cut Sagemont’s lead to 66-63 with 19 seconds remaining. Fox was then called for a flagrant foul on Thomas in the backcourt with 14.2 seconds left. Thomas, however, couldn’t hit either free throw. But Noah Francois drew a foul on the ensuing possession and connected on one of two.
Victory Christian frantically tried to put up a couple of shots at the other end, but each was defended well by Sagemont as the final seconds ticked away, and the Lions sealed their triumph.
“We’ve been through it a lot the whole season, so there was nothing to it when it came to pressure,” Thomas said. “It’s great to see everybody get their first (championship).”
After Fox scored the opening bucket of the second half, the trio of Thomas, senior wing David Nealy, who finished with 13 points, and Branden Sharpe, who had 14 points, picked up the energy level for Sagemont.
With quick transition scores that included a pair of highlight-reel dunks by Thomas and Gelin, the Lions outscored Victory Christian 22-7 in the third quarter.
Several of the scores were keyed by Sagemont’s defense, which was led by Obinna Ekufu, who Roe called the team’s defensive “eraser.”
Ekufu, who began his career in England before transferring to Sagemont, finished with eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
“I’m just proud to be a part of history, and I’m grateful to this school,” Ekufu said. “I know my guys can play offense, but I know on defense, I’m going to show up.”
