Boys Basketball State Semifinals
All games at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Admission is $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the event via the RP Funding Center Box Office. Parking is $12.
Class 4A
No. 4 Eustis (21-8) vs. No. 1 Gibbs (26-4), 7 p.m. today
How they got here: Eustis d. Orlando Bishop Moore 54-36, d. Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic 67-52, d. Palm Beach Atlantic 56-50; Gibbs d. Island Coast 92-39, d. Seminole 89-51, d. Blake 50-49.
Stat Leaders
| Category | Eustis | Gibbs |
| Points per game | Timothy Key, 12.7 | Oneal Delancy, 17.7 |
| Rebounds per game | Cornelius Hines, 8.9 | Bobby Crawford, 6.4 |
| Assists per game | Lomar Sparrow, 4.4 | Jacob Daniels, 5.2 |
| Steals per game | Lomar Sparrow, 1.6 | Jacob Daniels, 2.1 |
| Blocks per game | Cornelius Hines, 2.2 | Bobby Crwaford, 2.1 |
Outlook
Gibbs stands on the precipice of Tampa Bay area basketball history as it prepares for tonight’s semifinal showdown against Eustis at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center.
The top-ranked Gladiators enter the contest riding on a 19-game winning streak as they look to defend the state title they captured last year — their first since 1969.
A victory tonight would put them one step closer to becoming the first Tampa Bay area boys public school to repeat as state champions since the Florida High School Athletic Association began integration. Only Dixie Hollins (1961-62) and Clearwater Central Catholic (1986-87) have accomplished this feat.
Led by standout Oneal Delancy, who averages 17.7 points per game, and playmaker Jacob Daniels (5.2 assists, 2.1 steals per game), the Gladiators have established themselves as a powerhouse. Their national ranking of 36th by MaxPreps underscores their dominance.
The Panthers enter on their own hot streak, having won six straight games. They’re paced by Timothy Key’s 12.7 points per game and Cornelius Hines, who contributes 8.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest.
The statistical matchup heavily favors Gibbs, which averages 70.8 points per game to Eustis’s 54.9. The Gladiators also hold a 2-0 record against common opponents (Ensworth and Evans) that defeated Eustis earlier this season.
For Gibbs, this marks their fourth consecutive state semifinal appearance, with their veteran core looking to cement their legacy in Tampa Bay basketball history.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time does the game start? – 7 p.m. today
- What is the admission fee? – $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the event
- Where is the game held? – RP Funding Center in Lakeland
