Ribault had a blistering start and a tough finish in the boys basketball state semifinals on Tuesday.
The Trojans jumped on Stranahan for a quick start but couldn’t keep up that pace in a 72-55 loss to the Mighty Dragons on Tuesday afternoon at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Ribault and Jackson were the two Duval County Public Schools to reach the state semis. Jackson lost its semifinal last week to the Villages.
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The loss means that no team from Jacksonville has brought home a state championship since Bolles in 2016. Ponte Vedra (5A) and Tocoi Creek (6A) will try and end that area drought in Lakeland this week. The Trojans finished their season 21-9.
The Trojans shot 62% from the floor in the first quarter to take a 17-10 lead but fell into a rut after that as Stranhan caught back up in a hurry. The Trojans were just 2 of 13 from the field in the second quarter as the Mighty Dragons grabbed a lead midway through and kept it until the finish.
Ribault last reached the state championship game in 2014 when it lost to Lake Highland Prep. It went to the state semifinals in 2017 and 2023 and had tough, close losses to Leesburg and the Villages, respectively. The Trojans have four state championships, trailing Jackson and Arlington Country Day for the most in area history.
Kaden Toure had 22 points and Jamian Jackson followed with 14 points for Ribault.