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When people hear about a state semifinal team, they imagine a team with a perfect record or multiple D1-commited players. That is not the story for the Gainesville High Hurricanes girls basketball team.
Despite going 4-0 in their district, the ‘Canes faced their fair share of tribulations. In December, they had a 1-6 record. However, since the end of January, when the playoffs came into view, they have not lost a game. Winning by as many as 44 points and as few as six, the GHS girls have faced every type of storm and come out victorious.
District Play
In February, GHS traveled to Tallahassee for the 5A-District 2 Championship game against Lincoln High School. The game ended 64-41, favoring the ‘Canes, who brought come the trophy.
Seniors Jamison Cardwell, Jayden Terry and Mayah Gordon each scored double digit points in the district win. In the preseason, WRUF spoke with Jamison Cardwell and Jayden Terry about the upcoming season and their playoff prospects. Even then, the team had their eyes set on a state title.
Cardwell said she transferred from Buchholz High School for the chance to make a run like the one the ‘Canes (16-8) are pursuing now. Despite never getting to play against her former team, Cardwell’s goal of outlasting the Bobcats came to fruition. Buchholz lost in the 6A-District 3 playoffs to the Tocoi Creek Toros nearly a month ago.
FINAL
Gainesville is headed to the Final Four after a 64-57 win over Booker T Washington. pic.twitter.com/wZDPGs4uP4
— Ben T. Grieco (@BenGriecoSports) February 22, 2025
Hurricanes vs. Hurricanes
Two things stand between the GHS girls, the third-seed in Class 5A, and a third state championship: the second seed Oakland Park Northeast High School Hurricanes (28-2) and the winner of New Smyrna Beach vs. Clearwater. For the first time since 1987, the ‘Canes are appearing in the final four. A state title would be the third in school history, but the other two came in the 1920s.
For context, the last time the ‘Canes won this title, the Great Depression and World War II had not occurred and Elvis Presley was not yet born. A win of this magnitude would be a generational victory for the women on this team and the school.
Tip-off is at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The other semifinal between top seed New Smyrna Beach (28-5) and four seed Clearwater (18-9) will begin at 5 p.m. A win puts today’s winners in Friday’s championship game at 5 p.m. on the NFHS Network.
