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The Gainesville High School Hurricanes defeated the Columbia High School Tigers 64-51 in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 5A boys basketball regional quarterfinals on Wednesday.
It was the third time these teams faced off this season. Gainesville had won both prior meetings, 50-41 and 60-50.
Gainesville got off to a fast start to the game with a 15-3 run in the first 3:50 of the game.
“We got out to a good start, [we] saw the shots go in early,” GHS coach Mike Barnes said.
#0 hits a 3-pointer to bring Gainesville up 18-11 in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/zniKnZozpm
— Carston Handy (@carston_handy) February 13, 2025
After the fast start, Gainesville (21-7) had its share of dry periods. The Hurricanes went scoreless for the next three minutes.
Columbia (16-11) fought its way back to take the lead with 5:08 left in the second quarter.
“The minus was we did give up that lead, but … on the sideline we felt comfortable,” Barnes said.
Gainesville’s brotherly duo of Cornelius and Cordarius White led the way, each scoring 16 points.
Gainesville’s bench struggled to contribute. Senior David Osho was the only player to score off the bench with five points.
Overall, it was a physical game. Columbia used all of its allotted fouls.
“We won’t get any techs because our guys are so nice … it’s a great group, but a smart group,” Barnes said.
Up Next
The Hurricanes will travel to play the second-seeded Ponte Vedra High School Sharks at 7 p.m. Monday in the 5A Regional semifinals. These two teams have matched up at this stage in the state tournament for three years in a row. Ponte Vedra (19-8) has been victorious the last two years, but Gainesville is looking to change that this season.
Columbia ended its season suffering its third defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes this season.
