LAKELAND — Tallahassee Rickards led Pines Charter wire to wire in taking the FHSAA Class 5A state championship, 67-60, Saturday at the RP Funding Center.
Rickards shot 63 percent from the field (15 of 24) in the second half and 57 percent for the game (25 of 44).
Ke’Various Taylor and Zackary White each scored 19 points for Rickards, while A’Drelin Robinson added 14.
21-7 Rickards, ranked No. 35 by the FHSAA, is the lowest-ranked program (Class 2A and higher) to win a state championship in 2020.
Javen Flowers-Smith led Pines Charter with 16 points, Osei Price had 15 and Amarachi Ujagbor 13.
Pines Charter, in the state final four for the first time in school history, struggled from the field. Pines Charter was 26 of 61 overall (43 percent) and 3 of 22 from long range.
Nova Southeastern guard recruit Dallas Graziani went just 2 for 17 overall and 1 of 13 from 3.
Pines Charter ends the year 26-3.
