Champions Night

In a span of about 30 minutes Friday night (Feb. 5), Jesuit High School’s soccer and basketball programs earned hard-fought championships.

The soccer team won its second consecutive 2-1 overtime thriller to earn the Region title at Merritt Island, while basketball defeated Robinson 64-61 to earn its fifth straight District crown.

Soccer had lost the past two Region Finals to Merritt Island but this time Jesuit overcame a second-half deficit on the road to win. Joel Brewer ’18 scored on a goal-mouth scramble to tie the game at 1 midway through the second half, and Noah Kurtz ’18 knocked in the winner in overtime off a corner kick to set off a frenzied Tigers celebration.

No. 2-seed Jesuit basketball had split the season series with No. 1-seed Robinson, and the District Final was very close throughout with Jesuit clinging to a small lead most of the game. Two key defensive plays in the final minute – D.J. Snyder ’16 drawing a charge and Thierry Moliere ’18 blocking a shot – and good free throw shooting secured the win. Stevie Darst ’17 led the Tigers with 23 points.

Jesuit basketball (23-5) will host a Region Quarterfinal on Thursday (Feb. 11) at 7:00pm vs. Lake Wales.

Jesuit soccer (23-4-1) will play in a Class 3A State Semifinal on Wednesday (Feb. 10) at 4:00pm in Melbourne vs. Ponte Vedra, which has an unblemished record (24-0-0) and is ranked No. 1 in Florida in all classifications by MaxPreps.com (Jesuit is No. 9). Arguably the school’s most successful sports program, soccer makes its first appearance in the State Tournament since 2012 and is seeking its first State title since 2001. Soccer has the most state titles of any Jesuit sport with six, ahead of cross country and baseball with four apiece.

Basketball won its 5th consecutive District title under head coach Neal Goldman (2nd from right)