Three remaining area hoops teams fall in second round of state playoffs

ORLANDO — With 2:02 to play, a bucket in transition by Windermere Prep senior Michael Stones cut The First Academy’s lead — which had been as many as 10 points — to just one point. 

It seemed like the Lakers, who had lost to the Royals in all three previous meetings this season, might have had a chance to edge their district rival the one time it mattered most.

But TFA senior Fletcher Magee had other plans.

Magee, who finished with a game-high 19 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 to play that gave the Royals all the momentum they would need to secure a 53-43 victory in the Class 3A Region 2 Semifinals on Feb. 17. 

It was a tough break for the Lakers — and they weren’t alone in their disappointment.

The coverage area for the West Orange Times & Observer started the day Feb. 17 with three teams remaining in their respective regional tournaments of the state playoffs.

But, by 8:45 p.m., basketball season was over in West Orange County.

Central Florida Christian Academy (Class 2A) and Dr. Phillips (Class 8A) also fell in their regional quarterfinal matchups. All three teams were involved in district-championship rematches, and all three were on the road.

The Panthers, who were just five days removed from knocking off Evans, the No. 1 team in the state, in the Class 8A Region 1 Quarterfinals, could not overcome a 14-1 run by the Boone Braves to start the fourth quarter. The underdog Braves knocked off Dr. Phillips, 47-39.

The CFCA Eagles saw their season come to an end after host Agape Christian sprinted out to a 23-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back. The Eagles saw their season end with a 73-53 defeat.

CFCA, which won just one game a season ago, finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 23-7 mark. The Eagles will return the heart of their lineup for the 2015-16 season. Standouts Dante Treacy, Jared Treacy and Ajay Green are all underclassmen.

Windermere Prep ends the season with a 19-10 record. The Lakers will return key players such as Parker Davis, Xion Golding and Corbin Merritt for the 2015-16 campaign but will miss seniors Matt Hein, Isaiah Curry, Michael Stones and Xeo Golding.

Dr. Phillips’ win over Evans secured a 22nd-consecutive 20-win season for the Panthers, who finished with a 20-9 record. Although DP will return all but three players next season, those three players — Jonathan Laurent, David Stephen and Wilkins Desir — will be missed by coach Anthony Long and company.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].