TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Rickards and Godby are two of the top ranked boys basketball teams in Class 5A. Last year, Godby won the Class 4A State Championship, while the Rickards Raiders finished State Runner-up in Class 5A. This year, that feat won't happen, because not only are the two rivals in in the same classification, they are also in the same district.
On Friday night, the two faced off for the Class 5A District 2 Championship, and home court advantage in the playoffs. The Raiders led 27-11 in a low scoring first half, and held on in the second half, winning their eighth straight District Championship 48-44.
Godby won the previous two match-ups in the regular season, but Rickards head coach Eli Bryant said when his team plays like they should, they are hard to beat.
"We just stayed focused mentally. We didn't have the mental breakdowns we've been having against them," he said as to why his team won. Last time we played them, we had 14 more possessions then they had. The time we lost by three, we had five more possessions then they had. Now's the time when you start peaking. It's not the first time we've risen from the ashes so to speak."
"They played better then us tonight," said Godby head coach Andy Colville. "They're a very, very good team. I've said that all year. We came out and they jumped on us early. You can't get down sixteen points in the first half against a team as good as them."
In other District Championship games from across the big bend, Lincoln took the 7A-2 title over Leon 68-62 in overtime. In Class 3A, Rocky Bayou Christian eliminated North Florida Christian in the District Semifinals, while Maclay beat Pensacola Christian 50-32. The host Marauders will take on Rocky Bayou Saturday at 7:00 for the District Championship.
In Class 2A, the FAMU DRS boys defeated Tallavanna Christian 69-29 for the District 1 Championship. In Class 1A, Lafayette hosted the District 5 tournament, and Semifinal action hit the court Friday night. Hamilton County won the first Semi, defeated Jefferson County 65-36. Hamilton will face Madison County Saturday for the Championship, as the Cowboys defeated Lafayette 60-52.
