Vanguard girls win district tournament opener versus Citrus, 60-32
Vanguard’s Jyla Gunsby (0) drives to the hoop past Citrus’ Illana Johnson (0) and Brooke Sanders (3) during a basketball game at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
Vanguard’s Makiya Mitchell (2) steals the ball from Citrus’ Illana Johnson (0) during a basketball game at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
Senior point guard Jadah Kingcade led the way for the Lady Knights, scoring 20 points and dishing six assists in the win.
Senior guard Rain Smith chipped in 15 points and junior forward Jyla Gunsby scored 12 for the Lady Knights.
Vanguard’s head coach, Terrance Lewis, works with his players on the bench as they play Citrus during a basketball game at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
“We are playing our best ball of the season right now and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Lewis said. “We have found our identity defensively and our key players have locked in on what they need to do.”
Lewis stressed the importance of taking the district tournament one game at a time.
“We are one win away from the district title game. We aren’t overlooking anyone, we will play the hand we are dealt,” he said.
Vanguard moves into the FHSAA 5A district 5 semifinals with the win. The Lady Knights will face Lecanto in a semifinal matchup at the Vanguard High School gym on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
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