Lake Highland Prep girls wins fifth consecutive state title, defeats Bishop Kenny for 4A crown
LAKELAND, FLORIDA- If you ask Lake Highland Prep, they'll never get tired of the winning feeling.
For the fifth time in a row, the Highlanders matched up against the Bishop Kenny Crusaders in a state title game and came away with the same results. A state championship in hand.
Relying on second, third opportunity baskets and end of quarter points, the Highlanders were able to pull away with a 58-47 victory over the Crusaders for the Class 4A state championship at the RP Funding Center Saturday afternoon.
"I really never get tired of this feeling," Lake Highland Prep wing Lexi Blue said. "It never gets old. This is my fifth time being here and I know if I dedicate myself, follow coach's plan and dedicate myself to everything to the team, it will bring us a state championship."
Blue's statement couldn't ring anymore true as the Highlanders followed the game plan to almost perfection and had nearly the same exact results from last year's state championship win. In 2023, Lake Highland Prep won 55-45 and this time around won by 11.
Al Honor's girls made sure to out-hustle Bishop Kenny on the boards, something the Highlanders have struggled to do against some of the state's better teams. Not on Saturday afternoon, however.
Lake Highland Prep (25-5) was out-rebounded 32-24, but it would be the times they got rebounds, it resulted in extra chances for Blue (Virginia Tech signee) and Jada Eads (Seton Hall signee) to knock down shots.
The first of three time expiring baskets made by the Highlanders came at the end of the opening quarter when Blue (14 points, six rebounds) hit a 3-pointer to give Lake Highland an 11-5 lead.
It looked like at one point the Highlanders might push their lead into double digits for good at 20-10 during the second quarter, but the Crusaders fought back behind the play of seniors Clare Coyle and Riley Talbert.
Bishop Kenny (26-5) got to within 29-21 and it looked like that would be the halftime score, but another buzzer beating basket, this time a layup by junior Ari Woodard (10 points, five rebounds), made it 31-21 at intermission.
The Crusaders made a run during the third period behind the play of Coyle, who scored a team-high 22 points and collected 17 rebounds, and Talbert. After a Talbert jumper midway through the period made it 34-31, it looked like Bishop Kenny had gained the upperhand in momentum.
All those times through the regular season that Lake Highland Prep played the likes of national powers like Montverde Academy flashed and it helped them regain control later in the third quarter.
Blue hit another time expiring shot, a 3-pointer, and it pushed the Highlanders ahead 41-33. Lake Highland Prep never looked back.
Maintaining their lead, the Highlanders led by no less than six points throughout the final quarter as Bishop Kenny wasn't able to mount a serious comeback down the stretch.
"(Bishop Kenny) plays us tough every time," Honor said about facing Bishop Kenny once again in a state final. "It's always tough facing the same team. We know what to expect when we get here. We know how to respond and that's a testament to these girls."
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
