Boys basketball: CFCA falls to OCP in regional semifinal, 67-62

WEST ORANGE The third meeting this season between district rivals CFCA and Orlando Christian Prep came in the form of a winner-take-all showdown in the Class 2A Regional Semifinals.

Though the Eagles led for most of the first half and battled valiantly against the Warriors, OCP’s size in the front court and ability to control the game through rebounds proved to be the difference as the Warriors ended CFCA’s season with a 67-62 result.

“The glass was a huge difference,” Eagles head coach Jonathan McClintock said. “I don’t know if we created enough collisions tonight on the defensive glass, but (OCP) pursued (rebounds) well and I think that was the difference tonight.”

The Eagles were led by an impressive showing from sophomore guard Dante Treacy, who scored a game-high 26 points. Junior Jacob Newman had 17 points and eighth-grader Visual Russell scored 15 points for CFCA (17-12).

OCP (18-11) was led by a team-high 22 points from Cameron Corcoran, who converted a pivotal pair of go-ahead free throws in the final minute of play to help elevate the Warriors.

CFCA has, as a program, enjoyed an incredible turnaround over the past two seasons under McClintock. And, though seniors Jerred Treacy and Kyle Milroy will be graduating this spring — two players whom McClintock praised as being "foundational" to the program's recent success — the future is still plenty bright for the Eagles with playmakers like Dante Treacy, Newman and Russell all expected to return.

“I think the kids understand we’re building something,” McClintock said. “This year, I think, we brought the program another step forward. Lord willing, people will see that and want to be a part of that and we’ll be able to continue to grow it.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].