Jefferson advanced to the Final Four in dramatic fashion.
And the Dragons reward? A Class 6A state semifinal game against three-time defending state champions Miami Norland.
Norland looked every bit the champion, defeating Jefferson 67-43. The Vikings will play Gainesville for the 6A title LIVE on BHSN (Channel 47/HD 1147) Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Playing in front of a pro-Jefferson crowd, the Dragons kept it close in the first quarter, trailing only one point. Maurice Moore scored six of his 19 points in the first. But Jefferson struggled on the boards. They were out-rebounded 10-3 in the opening quarter.
Norland continued to win that battle in the second and outscored Jefferson 16-4 to take a 30-17 lead at the half. Junior forward Dewan Huell was especially tough to stop. He finished with a game-high 23 points and 17 rebounds.
Jefferson stopped the bleeding somewhat in the third. Moore and Cameron Padgett combined for 11 points. But Norland’s David Jean-Baptiste hit two of his four three pointers in the third to help give the Vikings a 52-33 lead.
In the fourth, the Dragons appeared to run out of gas, scoring only 10 points.
Moore led Jefferson with 19 points. He was the only Dragon in double figures.