There are three Gulf Coast high school basketball teams still alive in the FHSAA playoffs. The boys teams from First Baptist Academy and Charlotte are final four-bound, while Evangelical Christian School's girls hoops squad is back in the state semifinals for the third consecutive season.
“It’s amazing, I’m so excited," ECS senior guard Maddie O'Berski said.
“To be able to go to the final four is an awesome feat," ECS head coach Dwayne Donnell added. "We’re so excited about this year. I can’t wait to get to the game.”
This is the third straight year ECS has made it to Lakeland. In 2023 the Sentinels lost in the semifinals. However, in 2024 they won it all and brought back the program's first ever state championship.
“It’s the atmosphere and environment that’s different when you first walk into that gym," O'Berski said recalling her previous experiences. "Since we’ve been there before I think it’ll be a little easier to step into that environment and be comfortable with it.”
This year the Sentinels are 22-7. On paper, their record is not as pristine as the previous two years, but on the court, they are as confident as ever.
“A couple losses in the beginning of the season, they just doubted us this whole season," ECS junior guard Kellisia Grant said. "They don’t want us to go back.”
Yet here they are — back in their normal spot in Lakeland.
ECS is the fourth seed and will take on top-seeded Miami Country Day in the semifinals. The Spartans are ranked 12th in the entire state and are one of the most prestigious programs in Florida, winning eight state championships in the past. So, the Sentinels know they have a challenge ahead of them, but they are not afraid of it.
“We have so many kids on this team with talent that it would be hard to be an underdog with this team," O'Berski said.
The Sentinels bring that confidence and their past experience to Lakeland where they'll try to go back-to-back.
“That would put these kids in hallowed ground, and it would be a phenomenal feat," Donnell said. "We’re glad to have the opportunity to bring another state championship to ECS.”
ECS plays Miami Country Day in the Class 2A state semifinals on Thursday at 1 p.m.