Three days after overcoming a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to advance to the Class 5A state championship game, the Jones Tigers are bringing gold back to Orlando.

The Tigers downed Florida High 56-44 to claim the school’s first title since 2004.

“It’s sweet,” Jones head coach Robert Moultrie said. “It’s been a long time for Jones high school. We have a rich tradition playing basketball, especially girls basketball, and just to bring one back to Orlando and Jones high school, it means everything to us.”

Jones trailed 14-12 after the first quarter as the Seminoles were able to create space allowing Jordan Rosier to knock down two three pointers. During the second period Moultrie switched his girls out of the 1-3-1 zone that allowed Florida High to have success and into a man defense. The move paid off, the Seminoles only scored one point before halftime after the defensive switch.

“We felt like we needed to put a little more pressure on the guards,” said Moultrie. “That’s our staple, we play man-to-man, and when everything else goes wrong and we’re not doing what we need to do we go man and it usually works out for us. I’m glad it worked out for us today.”

Chardell Jones earned player of the game honors for her performance. The junior guard registered a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. She also added four assists.

“She was very big,” Moultrie said. “That basket when we were up by eight and we needed one, she said 'Coach, I got it.' She took it upon herself to drive it hard and make a layup. She’s just the epitome of a Jones high school basketball player.”

Moultrie said he’ll celebrate this championship for a few days, but then it’s back to the grind.

“It’s on to the next one, we’re ready to get another one.”