Wekiva Mustangs advance to Final Four!

Defeats Oviedo 78-63 in Regional Final, Wekiva Girls lose in state semifinals

The difference three days can make.

On Tuesday night, the Wekiva Mustangs struggled to score an anemic 37 points in four quarters and an overtime period to escape against the Boone Braves 37-35 in the Class 9A, Region 1 semifinal.

But on Friday night the Mustangs put their foot on the gas pedal, scoring 48 first half points and cruising to a 78-63 victory over the Oviedo Lions to claim the region championship and a trip to the final four. It's the first trip to the state tournament for Wekiva, which improved its record to 25-5, including five straight wins and 14 out of its last 15 games. Wekiva faces the South Miami Cobras, who defeated North Miami 59-55 in its regional final, next weekend in the state semifinals at the Lakeland Center. South Miami is 26-3 on the season.

Wekiva senior center Paul Reed was unstoppable with 25 points (on 10-16 shooting) and 16 rebounds in leading the Mustangs in both categories. Keon Morris added 18 points, while Jeremy Johnson scored 14, and Tyrone Perry had 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Earl Baker Jr. led Oviedo in scoring with 15 points. The Lions season ends with a 21-8 record.

Earlier in the day, the Wekiva girls team lost its state semifinal matchup with Miami Ferguson 52-33. Brierra Williams led Wekiva scorers with 12 points. They finish the season with a 22-9 record.