Survive, Advance

The Jesuit High School basketball team outlasted Robinson 45-41 on Tuesday night (Feb. 16) in the Tiger Palace to advance to the Region Final.

The Tigers will travel to Cape Coral on Friday (Feb. 19) to face Mariner (25-3) with a berth in the State Tournament at stake. Jesuit last reached the Final Four in 2013, when it won the Class 5A state title.

(NOTE: Jesuit captured the Region title with a 43-41 win at Cape Coral Mariner. The Tigers will play a 5A State Semifinal on Thursday,Feb. 25 at 1:00pm at the Lakeland Center vs. Jacksonville Bishop Kenny.) 

Tuesday’s game vs. Robinson came down to the waning moments again, just like the Feb. 5 District Final between the two city rivals, won by Jesuit 64-61. This time, with the score tied and 30 seconds to play, Will Anderson ’17 made a hustling rebound-follow shot from close range to put Jesuit (24-5) up 43-41.

On the other end, Stevie Darst ’17 (who is pictured on the homepage) grabbed Robinson’s missed game-tying attempt, and Darst swished two free throws for the final margin.  It was the fourth meeting between Jesuit and Robinson this season, with the Tigers claiming three wins.

View a photo slideshow from the game below: