Columbus wins its fifth straight FHSAA Class 7A boys basketball championship in a 53-50 win over Sarasota
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Columbus wins its fifth straight FHSAA Class 7A boys basketball championship in a 53-50 win over Sarasota originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, March 13 — Felipe Quinones connected on a trio of three-pointers, scoring 15 points along the way to lead the Columbus [Miami, FL] Explorers to their fifth straight Florida FHSAA Class 7A state championship in a 53-50 win over the Sarasota [FL] Sailors.
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Quinones and the Gaskin brothers – Caleb and Cayden – were among the stars leading the way for the Explorers (26-6) who won The Sporting News Boys Basketball National Championship a year ago. They are out of the running for this year's national title, but they'll still participate in The Throne tournament next week in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The senior Gaskin, Caleb, will then continue his career at the University of Miami next fall, staying close to home to play for the hometown Hurricanes.
Sarasota's season, meanwhile, comes to a close at 25-7, after giving the heavily-favored Explorers a run for their money.
STREAM:Watch Florida's FHSAA boys basketball Class 7A state championship game on the NFHS Network
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Refresh for updates
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FINAL — Columbus 53, Sarasota 50
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It's over, and Columbus wins its fifth straight FHSAA Class 7A state championship!
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It's 53-50, Columbus. But that tech gives Sarasota a chance.
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Sarasota turns it over again, and has to foul again. But a Columbus player is called for a tech afterward, so both teams will shoot two free throws. And Sarasota will get the ball.
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After a turnover under the basket, Sarasota is forced to foul near midcourt to stop the clock. Columbus converts one of two free throws for a 51-48 lead.
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Timeout with 55.4 seconds remaining. Still 50-48.
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Under 90 seconds, it's 50-48, Columbus.
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Sarasota connects on two free throws to tie this at 48-all.
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Under two to play, it's still, 48-46.
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Timeout with 2:47 to play. Still 48-46, Columbus.
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Under four to play, it's 48-46, Columbus.
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It's 46-all at the five-minute mark as Sarasota converts another basket-and-a-foul situation.
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Sarasota briefly tied it at 43-all on a bucket plus the foul situation, but Columbus answers with a three to re-extend the lead to 46-43.
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It's 43-40, Columbus.
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Sarasota opens the final period with a basket, and it's a one-possession game at 41-38 in favor of Columbus
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THIRD QUARTER — Columbus 41, Sarasota 36
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The third quarter ended up being a stalemate with both teams scoring 14 points. Eight more minutes to decide Florida's FHSAA Class 7A championship.
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At the two-minute mark, Columbus continues to set the pace with a 39-34 lead.
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Columbus up, 34-31, just past the halfway point.
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Sarasota has clawed their way back into this after trailing by nine in the first half. Sailors down 32-30 with the ball.
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At the six-minute mark, it's 30-26, Columbus. Sarasota is already in the bonus after just two minutes, so that's something to keep an eye on as they'll be going to the free throw line for the rest of the period.
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The third quarter is under way!
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SECOND QUARTER — Columbus 27, Sarasota 22
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Sarasota closes the second quarter with a three-pointer to trim Columbus's lead to five headed into the break.
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Just over two to play, Columbus has finally started to pull away just a little bit. They're up, 27-19.
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A turnover and a finish at the rim by Caleb Gaskins gives Columbus a 24-19 lead and Sarasota calls a timeout. 4:25 to play before the half.
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It's back and forth right now with Columbus up 20-19 around the six minute mark of the second quarter.
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One minute into the second quarter, it's all knotted up at 16-all.
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FIRST QUARTER — Columbus 16, Sarasota 13
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The first quarter comes to a close as Columbus goes on a 9-3 run over the last couple of minutes of the period.
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At the two-minute mark, it's Sarasota, 10-7.
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All five of Sarasota's starters have scored, and Columbus is having trouble getting the ball to go through the hoop. Just past the halfway mark of the opening quarter, it's 10-5, Sarasota.
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Approaching the five-minute mark, the two teams were tied at 5-all when Sarasota nailed a three-pointer. The Sailors are up 8-5 early.
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The game is under way!
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We're inside 20 minutes for the scheduled NFHS live stream of today's game. We'll keep you posted on any potential delays or time changes.
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Coming soon! Game time is set for 5 p.m. EST local!
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How can I watch Columbus vs. Sarasota today?
- Date: 5 p.m. EST Saturday, March 13
- STREAM:Watch Florida's FHSAA boys basketball Class 7A state championship game on the NFHS Network