Westminster Academy Sputters Late, Lose In 3A Title Game

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LAKELAND – In close games between evenly matched teams – it's the small things that typically decide the outcome.

With the game tied at 54 and just over two minutes to play, Westminster Academy couldn't make the crucial plays necessary to come out with a victory, as Windermere Prep went on an 8-0 run and defeated the Lions 62-58 Thursday night in the Class 3A state championship game at The Lakeland Center.

Chase Johnston and Zach Scott each scored in the waning seconds to make the final deficit 62-58, but time was on Windermere Prep's side as the Lakers were able to run out the final seconds and begin celebrating.

The Lions, who had rallied back to defeat Orlando The First Academy in overtime on Tuesday in the state semifinal, lost the turnover battle Thursday – a critical stat when playing in high-stake games – and missed multiple close-range shots in the final two minutes.

Westminster Academy head coach Ehren Wallhoff said he knew the fourth quarter could turn on a small detail.

"I knew that whoever could string together a couple of positive plays and build some momentum would put itself in the best position to win," Wallhoff said. "When [Parker Davis] hit that three, it hurt us. We never really got back in it after that…then we have a turnover here and a missed layup there."

"We just fell a little short," Wallhoff added.

Davis, a senior point guard for the Lakers (27-5), knocked down a three-pointer with 1:51 left to play – putting his team ahead 57-54. Davis then made a pair of free throws. Trailing by five, Westminster Academy's next two possessions included an offensive foul and a missed layup – all but sealing its fate.

Davis scored a game-high 21 points while Windermere also got 15 points from both David Nickelberry and Xion Golding.

Westminster Academy was led by junior Jerald Butler, who finished with 19 points. Butler's performance was booming early – scoring 18 points in the first half – but it fizzled in the second half as his only points came on a made free throw with 3:59 left in the fourth.

Windermere Prep head coach Ben Wilson said he made a few small changes to his defensive strategy on Butler and the Lions.

"We extended our zone on them, took away [Butler's] air space in the high post," Wilson said. "Then we changed our half-court defense to speed them up and get their big man out of the paint. Still, going in I knew they had a 'big three'; but I feel like we have a 'big nine' with multiple guys capable of going off at any time."

Westminster Academy did get 17 points from Zach Scott (on 8 of 21 shooting), but 6-foot-9 junior Paul Atkinson – who dominated the state semifinal game – was relatively quiet with just nine points and nine rebounds. Also, freshman shooter Chase Johnston added 11 points, but he struggled to find his shot early – finishing the game 3-for-9 from three-point range. Two of Johnston's three-pointers came during the fourth – one that gave the Lions a 50-48 lead and another that tied the game at 54.

"This definitely motivates me to keep working and get better," Johnston said. "It makes me hungrier for a state title."

Westminster Academy held a 38-32 lead midway through the third quarter thanks to an 11-1 run – but only took a 43-41 cushion into the fourth quarter. The Lions committed 17 turnovers compared to just 11 for the Lakers; negating the fact that Westminster out-rebounded Windermere 39-28

Still, the Lions only have one senior on their roster – reserve guard Davi Santos – and figure to be one of the best teams in Florida again next year.

"We talked about the future in the locker room after the game," Wallhoff said. "Obviously, it hurts right now…these guys are hurting and I'm hurting. But it the future is bright and we're excited about it."

Added Butler, a junior: "the only thing on our minds right now is getting back here next year."

Box Score

Class 3A state championship: Windermere Prep 62, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 58 – WMA (24-7): Butler 19, Scott 17, Johnston 11, Atkinson 9, Santos 2. WP (27-5): Davis 21, Nickelberry 15, Golding 15, Seelman 6, Aratius 3, Swoboda 2. Halftime: Tied 27. Three-pointers: Davis 3, Golding 3, Johnston 3, Nickelberry. Technicals: Scott.