Even before the FHSAA 6A State Championship game, it was already a historic season for the Raiders boys basketball team. They had set a program record in wins, achieved their first top 25 ranking, won the BCAA Big 8 Championship for the first time, and qualified for the State Semifinals for the first time since 2001.
However, they were not content. They were not satisfied. They stayed steadfast in their determination to win one more game and climb to the mountaintop, somewhere the program had not been in 24 years.
They got it done.
Overcoming a 16 point second half deficit, the Raiders defeated Evans 71-63 to win the 6A State Championship. The Raiders, who finished the season 30-2, won the fourth quarter 22-7 to complete the best season in program history.
STA was led by 22 points from senior forward Dwayne Wimbley Jr. With the game teetering on the edge, Wimbley Jr. and CJ Westbrook (15 points) helped pull the Raiders back into striking distance. In the fourth quarter, the rest of the team pounced.
Sophomore KJ Sandi hit back to back threes late in the fourth quarter to tie the game, and his older brother junior DJ Sandi put the Raiders in front for good.
In his fifth season at STA, head coach Julius Sandi has led the Raiders to a dream season. STA will finish the season ranked in the Top 25 for the first time ever.
Congratulations to the entire boys basketball team, who has won the 133rd State Championship in STA history.
