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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 2, 2002
After the best seasons in school history for Northside Christian and Indian Rocks Christian, someone is going to the Class A state semifinals for the first time.
Northside hosts Indian Rocks tonight in the Class A, Region 3 final. The Golden Eagles (31-3) beat the Mustangs earlier this season 73-63. But IRC was missing Ben Bailey, one of its better players, and Northside (27-5) was without Deon Troupe, its best player.
"We match up well with them," said IRC sophomore Justin Bailey, who had 15 points in the first meeting, "even with Deon back." IRC point guard Gabe McMillen has been playing his best ball lately and is the county's top scorer, and guard Daniel Hedger and Justin Bailey have been deadly from the outside.
Northside's Lance Skipper, Justin Barnaky and Troupe also can put up big numbers.
"I think there's going to be all kinds of shots taken," Justin Bailey said. "It's going to be a wild game."