Lake Highland Prep is one step closer to a repeat state title after Tuesday’s 4A semifinal victory over Berkeley Prep, 80-69.
The Buccaneers jumped out to at an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter after an icy shooting outing by the Highlanders.
Adjustments were made and shots started falling for the defending 4A State Champions before the half.
Highlanders knotted the game up five minutes into the second quarter as UNC signee Joel Berry attacked the basket putting up 16 while Jay Henderson got hot from outside the arc netting eight points off two big three pointers and a dunk off a steal to end the quarter with a 10-0 run for LHP.
It didn’t stop there as Lake Highland opened the second half with a 5-0 run as Berry drew contact from Texas Tech commit Justin Gray, his third foul of the game with 3:19 to go.
“They got on a nice run, which they can do and again I just thought our offense impatience really hurt us in the second quarter dug us a hole,” Berkeley Prep coach Bobby Reinhart said.
With 7:07 to go in the game Lake Highland held their largest lead of the game, 20.
Bucs (27-4) didn’t settle and off the shoulders of sophomore Jacob Mathis made a push to bring the game back within 10 with two minutes to play.
The poised Highlanders (27-4) though would seal the game up on the free throw line. Joel Berry posted a team high 39 points (19 FT), 9 rebounds while Jaren Lewis added a double-double 17pts, 13rbs.
“We played had played them full loaded so we knew the offensive potential that they had,” LHP coach Jason Vallery said of preparing for Berkeley Prep. “We also knew if we applied great ball pressure and busted cutters in their motion and got out and boxed out on the perimeter shooters that we could get out and run which is what we like to do and we accomplished that.”
Jacob Mathis led Berkeley Prep with 21 points while Justin Gray put up 16 points and nine rebounds before leaving the game early.
The Highlanders will now advance to the 4A State Final round Wednesday against Ribault at 8:05pm. The game will be televised live on Bright House Sports Network CH 47/HD 1147.