Gadsden County High School gave Pensacola Catholic all they wanted in last Tuesday’s Region 1 state semifinal boys’ basketball game before falling 52-49 in double-overtime.
“I was so proud of our effort; we gave them everything they could handle and had our chances, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be,” Jaguar coach Andrew Moten said.
Gadsden had a chance in regulation with possession of the ball with 16 seconds to go with the game tied at 44 when a Catholic steal took place that forced the first overtime.
The Jaguars also had the ball and missed a last-second shot at the buzzer in that overtime. That result caused a second extra period with the game tied at 47 each.
Pensacola Catholic managed to take a 5-2 scoring margin in that period to take the win and move on in the playoffs.
Jimmy Hester scored 20 points and Sammy Carter 14 to lead Gadsden in its upset try.
The loss ended the season for the Jaguars with a 14-15 record.
Pensacola Catholic moved on with a 27-1 record and beat Jacksonville Bolles Saturday night to earn a berth in this week’s State Final Four 5-A bracket in Lakeland.
By Joe Ferolito
sports@prioritynews.net