Defeats Miami South 73-59 in semifinal

The Wekiva Mustangs kept their storybook season alive with a torrid second half performance in route to a 73-59 semifinal win over the South Miami Cobras. The win sends Wekiva (26-5) to the 9A state championship game against the winner of the Osceola-Wellington semifinal game later this evening. The finals will be tomorrow night at 8PM at the Lakeland Center. This is the Mustangs first appearance in the state championship game.

Photo Credit: FHSAA[/caption]

Senior Wekiva center Paul Reed was again the immovable force on both ends of the floor for the Mustangs. Reed poured in 28 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and was the driving force in Wekiva's 45-point second half.

He was our cool hand when things got hot," said Mustang Head Coach Gersino Lubin. "He's sure-handed, coachable, and one of the hardest workers I have ever coached."

Early in the third quarter, Wekiva broke open a 30-30 tie when they ran off 10 straight points, seven of which were Reed's including a missed dunk rebound that he put back up, scored, was fouled and hit the free throw to make it 40-30 midway through the third quarter. The Mustangs extended the lead to 13 before the Cobras rallied to within five points at 60-55 with 4:15 remaining in the game, but Reed's length of the floor driving layup and made free throw off the foul extended Wekiva's lead to 63-55, and they never looked back with 4:06 remaining.

Senior point guard Ezacuras Dawson led all South Miami scorers with 26 points, as the Cobras end their season with a 26-4 record. It was the fourth appearance in the 9A final four for South Miami in five years.

Along with an inspired offensive effort in the second half, Wekiva can also credit a full court pressing defense that contributed to 15 Cobra turnovers. Wekiva also had 15 turnovers, but overcame them with 27-29 free throw shooting.

The win was Wekiva's sixth straight, and 15th out of their last 16 games.

Feature Photo Credit: Florida High School Athletic Association.