Leesburg’s dynamic senior duo wasn’t going to be denied another championship.
Cordrayius Graham and Keon Ellis combined for 48 points to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 71-62 win over Tallahassee Rickards in the 6A title game Thursday night at the R.P. Funding Center.
It’s the second consecutive state championship and fourth overall for Leesburg, which ended the season on a 26 game winning streak.
The Yellow Jackets (29-1) raced out to a 13-point lead early in the second quarter then withstood a second half charge from Rickards.
A three-pointer from Vincent McCray brought the Raiders (23-8) within 58-56 with 3:37 remaining in the game.
Leesburg responded with a 7-0 run to cement the win.
The Yellow Jackets were 27-of-38 from the free throw line, including 12-of-18 in the fourth quarter.
Deshawn Benton made all four of his field goals to finish with eight points and provided a lift with his defense. Lance Erving and Decorian Patterson each scored six.
Leesburg will have the chance next season to become just the third program in Central Florida to win three consecutive state titles.