Last Tuesday, Crossroad Academy captured a win over Cottondale, punching their ticket to the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Final Four in Lakeland.
Crossroad hosted Cottondale in front of a jam packed gymnasium at West Gadsden Middle School. The first quarter ended with Crossroad in control of the game with a 13-7 lead.
The 3-pointers continued to fall for Crossroad going into the second quarter as well. The perimeter shooting from Crossroad reigned supreme over Cottondale as the Scorpions increased their lead to 33-14 going into halftime. Crossroad made seven 3-pointers as a team in the first half of the game.
With Cottondale struggling to score baskets all night, Crossroad continued to play smothering defense, supported by good perimeter shooting. The third quarter ended with the Scorpions taking a large lead over Cottondale 42-19.
Going into the fourth quarter, Crossroad seemed to have this game in the bag and they continued to play great basketball to close out the game. They beat Cottondale in convincing fashion by a score of 54-23.
Crossroad was led in scoring by Camari Hale. Jabari Baohen chipped in 7 points of his own, with another 8 points coming from Myron Tennell.
Crossroad Academy will be playing Hilliard High School in the FHSAA Class 1A State Semifinals on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland, FL. If Crossroad wins that game, they will play in the 1A State Final matchup against the winner of Williston vs. Chipley on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 7:00pm at the same location in Lakeland.
Athletic Director, Roy Howard, said, “I’m extremely proud of our boys basketball team and what they’ve accomplished this year. I’d also like to encourage anyone who can, to donate to our ‘gofundme’ account to help get our team to Lakeland.”
The gofundme page is titled “CACS Boys Basketball Headed to Final 4 in Lakeland;” they are hoping to raise at least $5,000.
Chris Daniels – Gadsden County News Service
