EUSTIS, Fla. — For Eustis High School, reaching the FHSAA Class 4A State Semifinals is a fantastic accomplishment. This is the first time they have accomplished this since 2008. But now comes the toughest test yet: taking on the top-ranked team in the classification, Gibbs High School.

After the re-seeding process, Eustis landed as the No. 4 seed in the semifinals, setting up a showdown against Gibbs, the No. 1 seed and a top-10 team in Florida. Despite the daunting matchup, the Panthers are embracing the challenge with confidence. “This means the world to us. As a player who played all four years at Eustis I made the FHSAA Regional finals 3 our of 4 years but never got the opportunity to play in Lakeland at the State Semifinals. So I am so proud of my boys for earning this shot and I am appreciative of them doing what I asked of them all season long.” says coach Green.

(Eustis High head coach Wesley Green has Eustis in the state semifinals for the first time since 2008. Photo Credit – Joe Ott Photography Fan Zone.)

Eustis enters the game with a 21-8 record, battle-tested from a demanding schedule that has included showdowns with some of the state’s best, including Williston, Evans, and Leesburg. That experience has prepared head coach Wesley Green’s squad for this moment. “We are going to have to box out and don’t turn the ball over in order to beat Gibbs. We know what we’re up against,” Green said. “But we’ve been in this spot before. We’ve played tough teams all season, and our guys are ready for the challenge.”

(Senior Timothy Key leads the Eustis High boys basketball team in points scored this season. Photo Credit – Joe Ott Photography Fan Zone.)

Senior Timothy Key has been the Panthers’ offensive leader, averaging a team-high 12.7 points per game. Cornelius Hines has also been a key contributor, averaging 11.7 points and leading the team in rebounds with nine per contest. Lomar Sparrow, Andrew Riley, and John Miller have stepped up throughout the season, providing depth and critical contributions that aided in getting Eustis High School in this position.

Gibbs, is a contender for the FHSAA State Championships every year. They are the defending Class 4A State Champions after all. They have been to the FHSAA State Semifinals four years in a row now. With its high-powered offense and dominant defense, will be the toughest test yet for Eustis. Gibbs comes in with two players averaging over 17 points per game. Senior Jacob Daniels and sophomore Oneal Delancy have been stellar along with Bobby Crawford who’s a 6’8″ forward and leads the team in rebounds.  However, the Panthers have proven they can compete with the best and are eager to make a statement on the state’s biggest stage.

(Community support in Eustis has been amazing. It always is, but this season the gym has been packed. They are getting to see something that has not happened since some of the players were born and that’s make a FHSAA State Semifinal apperance for the first time since 2008.)

As far as community support goes, coach Green says “It has been immaculate. The support from the City of Eustis to the parents, alumni has been terrific. In just four days we raised enough funds to cover the trip to Lakeland. From top to bottom everyone’s been supportive and we are so thankful.”

(It’s been a season to remember for Eustis High basketball. They won a district championship and a regional championship. They hope to play spoiler to Gibbs High School.)

Tip-off is set for Tuesday evening at 7pm at at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Eustis will look to pull off the upset and punch its ticket to the Class 4A State Championship game. They will need all the support they can possibly get. This is a massive opportunity and we hope the community comes on out to root the Panthers on!