JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Tocoi Creek boys basketball team is in the Class 6A state semifinals and will face Orlando Evans on Thursday in Lakeland. A look at the matchup.
Class 6A boys basketball state semifinals
Tocoi Creek (27-3) vs. Orlando Evans (24-6)
When: Thursday, 3 p.m.
Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland
Watch it: Game can be streamed on the NFHS Network. Cost applies for a monthly pass.
Winner gets: St. Thomas Aquinas or Charlotte in the state championship game on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Road here: Tocoi Creek d. Fletcher, 67-54; d. Milton, 68-55; d. Lake Howell, 58-40; Evans d. Gaither, 65-27; d. Bartow, 73-50; d. Edgewater, 77-72.
Glance: The fourth-year Toros are in the midst of an unforgettable season for head coach Will Wilson. They’d never been to the playoffs before this year, yet have plowed through three playoff opponents and stand just two wins from a state championship. Evans won’t be easy. They’re not the most prolific Orlando-area team, but Evans has been to the state semis five times before with a state title. The Toros have played an extremely balanced season. Among their losses, an eight-point defeat to Jackson ranks as their most lopsided. Tocoi Creek is very thorough and deep. Four of their five top scorers are underclassmen, led by freshman wing King McFadden (12.5, ppg, 6.6 rpg). Senior C Tyson Gilbert (12.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G Javares Rickerson (11.9 ppg), wing Daniel Figueroa (9.8 ppg) and F Marc Mitchell (8.3 ppg) give the Toros a team that can win now and in the future,