Sarasota boys basketball reaches first state title game in program history

The Sailors trailed at the end of the first quarter. They trailed entering halftime, too.

And when the final period arrived, they were still behind. But their coach never wavered from his message. 

It was one of confidence.

"I kept telling our guys, 'We're going to win this game,'" said BJ Ivey. "Just got to keep fighting — one possession at a time, one defensive stop at a time."

They kept fighting, indeed.

Sarasota boys basketball (25-6) defeated Oak Ridge (20-10) in a 53-48 come-from-behind triumph in the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals March 13 at Jacksonville's UNF Arena.

The Sailors outscored the Pioneers, 21-9, in the fourth quarter to fully erase a seven-point deficit with eight minutes standing between them and elimination.

"A game is not going to be won or lost in the first three quarters," Ivey said. "Keep laying bricks, keep believing in each other, stay connected and you'll make the plays when it's time. That's exactly what they did."

Junior guard Johnny Lackaff had a team-high 16 points, and junior guard/forward Isaiah Jenkins had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double. Senior forward David Young pitched in 10 points as well to help steer the Sailors.

They're now headed to the first state title game in program history. 

Sarasota will play Columbus — the four-time defending 7A state champions — at 5 p.m. Saturday with ultimate glory up for grabs.

"We know they're super-talented. We know they've been here before," Ivey said. "But we're going to do the best job we can in the short turnaround to prepare and make sure that we go out and give it our best shot."