Winter Haven’s quest for a second-straight state title pushed on without much resistance from Gulf Coast.

The Blue Devils convincingly defeated the Sharks 68-41 to advance to Saturday’s 8A state championship game. Winter Haven never trailed and led by as many as 30 points.

A fast start by Winter Haven had them up 23-10 after the first quarter. Six different Blue Devils registered points in the first eight minutes of play.

Diamond Battles scored a game-high 19 points and Zakiyah Franklin added 17.

Winter Haven will face South Broward Saturday at 5:30 pm. Blue Devils’ head coach Johnnie Lawson looking for the perfect game from his team.

“Losing one of the best bigs in the country to an ACL injury Tyia Singleton, we’re going to have to rebound better,” said Lawson. “We have to cut out the fat to what I talk about, but I like our chances. I’ll tell you what, I’ll go to war with them anyday.”