First Coast Varsity Weekly: Oakleaf soccer on the charge after Evan Bauman scoring blast

Evan Bauman couldn't quite believe the goal he had just scored.

"I've never scored a goal quite like that in a game quite like this," he said. "It's a wonderful feeling. It's the best one in my life and it couldn't have come at a better time."

The Oakleaf junior midfielder's 68th-minute rocket from outside the box boosted the Knights past Fleming Island 2-1 in Monday night's Florida High School Athletic Association District 3-6A boys soccer semifinal, and kept the team's playoff hopes alive.

An initial free kick from Drew Ammon ricocheted off the wall, but Bauman struck the rebound with full force and celebrated the game-winning goal in front of an ecstatic Knights bench.

Oakleaf (9-3-1), which survived two penalty kick saves by Fleming Island goalkeeper Peyton French, carries a six-game winning streak into Wednesday night's game against Ponte Vedra for the district trophy. For the Knights, who entered at No. 11 in the region, a once-improbable playoff run remains very much active.

Oakleaf showed off its speed throughout, with Akindele May-Parker and Khiende May-Parker raiding from outside and playing off target forward Ammon. Khiende May-Parker put the Knights in front before Fleming Island's Matthew Male equalized with a low second-half shot.

To punch its playoff ticket, Oakleaf will need another upset against Ponte Vedra, which defeated Nease 3-1 in Monday's early semifinal. Two opportunistic goals from Joey Stephens and one from Mark Romano pulled away from the Panthers, continuing the Sharks' 11-year run without defeat against their county rivals.

"It's a big boost," Stephens said. "I think it's going to keep pushing us forward toward the regions and maybe the states."

Ribault hoops adds to overtime run

When it's Gateway Conference time, Ribault's Trojans are officially the masters of overtime.

The Trojans' 60-55 victory over reigning Gateway boys champion Jackson brought home Ribault's first Duval County public school championship in the sport for six years, and also maintained an improbable run of OT success.

Three times in the last 14 years, the Gateway boys final has gone to overtime. All three times, Ribault ended up on top.

In 2010, First Coast — then led by current Ribault coach Charles Showers — built a 25-point first-half lead before the Trojans came back. Justin Chandler sank three free throws with 3.9 seconds left to force overtime, and Chandler (25 points) and Javon Bell (17 points) kept Ribault rolling in overtime for the 77-72 win.

Wolfson brought a 21-game winning streak into the Gateway Conference final, but Ribault surprised the Wolfpack. Even after Wolfson forced overtime on Tyriek Railey's basket inside the final 10 seconds, a 19-point effort by Terry Stripling and clutch defense in the extra session helped Ribault hold on.

On Friday, Ribault had to overcome the loss of junior guard Caleb Williams, who fouled out during the late going. But a balanced offense with George Woods, Jeremiah White and Kevin Stokes all in double figures held off the Tigers, 60-55.

The three Ribault-Jackson meetings this year have come down to a combined 10 points, with Ribault holding the 2-1 edge. They could meet again during the district and regional tournaments as well.

Milestone triumph for Barracudas

Welcome to the playoff win column.

First-year program Beachside achieved its debut win in girls basketball postseason on Monday night, a 44-24 success over District 4-4A opponent Tocoi Creek in the opening round.

Freshman Morgan Cremen led with 10 points, while Anni Ament and Sophia Iskander added eight apiece.

That victory not only wraps up the season series against Tocoi Creek, but goes a long way toward punching a first-ever playoff ticket for the Barracudas (17-5) in a district that could produce as many as four postseason qualifiers. Bolles, Paxon and Class 4A No. 1 Bishop Kenny are all among the potential qualifiers.

State cheer finals on deck

Last year, West Nassau edged Baldwin head-to-head for a state title. This year, it's Bishop Snyder's turn to challenge the Sunshine State's cheerleading dynasty.

State cheerleading championships arrive this weekend at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, with more than two dozen Jacksonville-area high schools in action. Class 1A competes on Friday, followed by Class 2A on Saturday.

West Nassau extended its cheer dynasty at last year's state finals, narrowly holding off Baldwin in the final. Bartram Trail, Bishop Snyder and Ponte Vedra also won 2022 FHSAA championships in their respective categories.

At regionals two weeks ago, though, Bishop Snyder came out on top of West Nassau in the small non-tumbling division in Callahan, with the Cardinals scoring 86.00 points to the Warriors' 85.30. Both will be among the favorites in Gainesville.

Also winning regional championships in January were Providence (medium), Ponte Vedra (extra large), Bishop Kenny (medium non-tumbling), Menendez (extra large non-tumbling), Clay (medium co-ed) and 2022 runner-up Baldwin, which has moved into the large non-tumbling category.

Christ's Church moving to SSAC

After one year back in FHSAA district competition, Christ's Church football is returning to the independent ranks for 2023.

The Eagles intend to compete next season within the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, moving out of a District 1-1M that also included University Christian, Trinity Christian, Providence and North Florida Educational.Christ's Church finished the 2022 season at 2-8.

Also scheduled for SSAC 11-man play next year are Bishop Snyder, Cedar Creek Christian, Duval Charter, Eagle's View, Harvest Community, Impact Christian and Zarephath Academy. For Impact and Zarephath, the move to the SSAC is new, while Duval Charter is returning to 11-man football from the 8-man ranks.

Paxon and Stanton, meanwhile, continue their independent schedule within the SSAC Atlantic League.

Temple takes FCAL title

High-scoring Temple Christian won the boys basketball championship for the Florida Christian Athletic League, topping Ocala Redeemer Christian 59-53 in Saturday's final.

Senior guard Travon Miller won most valuable player honors for the Soldiers.

Success is nothing new for Miller, who ranks among the Sunshine State's leaders in scoring (27.8 points per game) and rebounding (13.2 boards per game) and scored a season-high 44 points on Jan. 9 against Harvest Community.

Offense has been the name of the game for Temple Christian (15-5), which is averaging 66.25 points and has surpassed 85 points three times during the past month.

Around the area

Middleburg running back T.J. Lane committed to West Florida football. … Middleburg linebacker Robert Steele committed to Monmouth football. … Fleming Island wide receiver Darion Domineck committed to Blinn Junior College. … Bartram Trail linebacker Davis Houk committed to Keiser football. … Brunswick linebacker Lionell Twitty committed to Shorter football. … Bolles offensive lineman James Zebroski committed to Washington-St. Louis football. … Ponte Vedra defensive end Layne Swafford de-committed from Marshall football. … Trinity Christian's Desrai Brown committed to Albany State softball. … St. Johns Country Day pitcher Thomas Gibbs committed to Butler Community College baseball. … Bartram Trail guard Lina Kouchis committed to Thomas women's basketball. … Episcopal's Kent Jackson and Beza Miller both reached the 1,000 career point mark in the same game against Baker County. … Will Devis of Florida Deaf won most valuable player honors at the Mason-Dixon Tournament for boys basketball. … The FHSAA has listed five forfeited games for First Coast Christian boys basketball. … FHSAA girls weightlifting regionals begin this week. St. Augustine hosts the Region 1-2A meet with weigh-in at noon Feb. 1, followed by Oakleaf for Region 1-3A (weigh-in 7 a.m. Feb. 2) and Suwannee for Region 1-1A (weigh-in 8 a.m. Feb. 4). … Monday opens preseason practice for beach volleyball and flag football.

Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX.