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The Williston High boys basketball team won its second consecutive 1A state title Saturday by defeating Hilliard, 61-53, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
THAT’S TWO FOR WILLISTON
RED DEVILS GO BACK TO BACK IN LAKELAND AND ARE THE CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPS@WillistonHoops defeats Hilliard 61-53
It was closer than expected, but this Red Devils squad dug deep like all season and earned this title@CFreemanJAX pic.twitter.com/WkgjF6aDim
— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) March 3, 2024
The Red Devils are the first Gainesville-area boys team to secure back-to-back title wins since GHS in 1999 and 2000.
How The Devils Pulled it Off
Williston (29-2) entered the FHSAA state semifinals Friday against Chipley (19-12), a team it saw last year in the state finals. Williston cruised by Chipley, 63-30, to advance to Saturday’s title game.
Williston has been a force to be reckoned with since the start of the season. In the four playoff appearances they averaged 80 points per game, fighting consistently the entire time. Hilliard (25-3) was the first team in the playoffs to put the Red Devils to the test.
The energy was up the entire game, with both teams beginning a back-and-forth battle right at the jump. By the half, Williston held the lead 28-24.
With a minute left in the game, Williston made seven free throws to secure its second consecutive state trophy.
Jim Ervin’s Thoughts
Williston coach Jim Ervin said the Red Devils knew what it took to come out of the weekend with a state title after doing so last season.
The Red Devils are losing six seniors, four starters and are bringing back six varsity players next season, Ervin said.
“It’s going to be a lot of work,” Ervin said. “We’re getting back to work. We’re going to take two weeks off here, and we’ll be back in the gym again preparing for the following year. That’s the way we did it last year, and that’s our plans on this year – getting back into the gym. Getting better as individuals and getting stronger and quicker in the weight room.”
