Gulliver Prep tops East Gadsden for first state championship
By Associated Press
Published March 6, 2004
LAKELAND - Sylvia Fowles had 30 points and 24 rebounds to lead Miami Gulliver Prep to its first state title with a 62-31 win over East Gadsden in the Class 3A girls basketball championship on Friday.
The 6-foot-5 Fowles, who signed with LSU, had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, going 7-of-13 from the field. She had eight points and four offensive rebounds in a 14-0 run in the last 3:33 of the first half to give the Raiders (32-0) a 32-14 halftime lead.
East Gadsden (28-1) was held scoreless for the last 5:38 of the half and outscored 16-6 in the second quarter. The Jaguars were led by Lakisha Green's 14 points.
Gulliver Prep didn't let up when Fowles was on the bench, extending the lead to 24 when she went to the sideline in the third quarter. The Raiders then stretched the lead to 31 points after Fowles left with 1:19 left.
Elisa Carey added 16 points and 10 rebounds as Gulliver Prep outrebounded the Jaguars 57-23.
Fowles also won two state titles at Miami Edison before leading Gulliver Prep to its first state finals appearance and championship. She compiled an 18-1 playoff record in her career.
CLASS A: Senior guard Jessica Hall scored a school-record 41 to lead Tallahassee FAMU to its first state championship in an 81-56 win over Bradenton Christian.
Tallahassee FAMU (30-4), No.6 in the state poll, took control from the start and led throughout against the fourth-ranked Bradenton Christian (27-3). The Panthers cut the lead to 12 in the fourth quarter, only to see the Baby Rattlers break off a 17-5 run, capped by two Hall free throws.
Hall was 13-of-19 from the floor, 8-of-10 from the foul line and 7-of-8 from the 3-point line. The Memphis recruit added five rebounds and three steals.
Three other FAMU starters were in double figures: Lesheria Stevens had 18 points and nine rebounds, Brittany Hudson had 11 and Nadriah Gardner added 10.
Jessica Magley led Bradenton Christian with 21 points.
