Pines Charter boys energize early on way to state basketball semifinal win
An early wake-up call can sometimes affect a team’s performance.
At first, Wednesday’s 9 am tipoff appeared to have flustered Pembroke Pines Charter’s boys through a poor shooting first quarter.
And then the Jaguars woke up.
On the strength of an impressive 18-0 run early in the second quarter, Pines Charter seized control of its Class 5A state semifinal matchup and never let up on its way to a mercy-rule, 65-32 victory over Lecanto at UNF Arena.
“As a team we’re used to waking up early because we’re usually already at practice at that time,” said 6-6 junior guard Anthony Walcott, who led the Jaguars with 17 points and six rebounds. “It was a great win.”
The Jaguars (20-6), who have been one of the most consistent programs in South Florida in recent years after advancing to at least the regional finals in seven consecutive seasons, will take on Fleming Island on Friday at 8 in the 5A state championship game.
Pines Charter will attempt to win its second state title in the past three seasons and third overall.
“We were really upset with the 9 am start time to be honest because with high school games, that’s not really conducive,” said Jaguars coach Dave Roca, who has led them to both state titles. “It was what it was, and we just knew it would be an element of the game.”
The Jaguars trailed 11-9 after Lecanto (24-6) scored to open the second quarter. Walcott sparked the big surge with back-to-back transition scores off Panthers turnovers. The Jaguars scored 22 points overall off 17 giveaways by Lecanto.
Roca said Lecanto’s offensive system resembled that of Belen Jesuit, which Pines Charter beat last week to advance to the state final four.
“They have really good players that play well off the ball, and they were very similar to Belen in the way they run those actions off screens,” Roca said. “We just had to stop settling for bad shots. I thought we did that too much early on.”
About the only scare Pines Charter had following its second quarter outburst was when Walcott delivered an emphatic dunk and landed hard on his right side.
“I’m ok,” Walcott said. “The rim was a little slippery, but I feel fine now. This was one of the biggest games of my high school career. I was on the bench two years ago so I learned a lot about taking care of business especially when times get tough.”
Everything else worked right for Pines Charter for the remainder of the contest.
The Jaguars showed off the balance at both ends of the floor that has them back in the state final as junior guard Zacuras Dawson totaled 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Adam Starr also had 11 points.
Pines Charter shot 54% (27 of 50) for the game after going 3 for 12 from the field during that sluggish first quarter. The Jaguars also outrebounded Lecanto 36-25 and outscored the Panthers in the paint, 32-18. Senior forward Robert Guishard led the effort with a game-high 15 rebounds.
“The sustainability of excellence is so tough year in and year out. It can be such a grind,” Roca said. “It’s a great feeling even though it takes its toll. I give credit to my staff, and they do a great job scouting, and it’s an extension of the classroom with these kids and how well they’re prepared.”
This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 11:41 AM.
