Indians & Raiders meet in FCSAA/Region VIII Semifinals

Cliff Davis drives by a Miami-Dade defender in Chipola's 62-60 opening round win on Thursday night. | photo courtesy of Liz Kasey

Posted: Mar 10, 2023

NICEVILLE, Fla. – After a hard-fought comeback in the opening round of the FCSAA/Region VIII Men's Basketball Tournament, Chipola (28-3) will play tonight for the chance to advance to their third consecutive State Championship game.

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The Indians will face a familiar opponent tonight at 8 PM when they face the host team and #4 seed, Northwest Florida State College. Chipola is 2-1 this season against the Raiders with each winning on its home court.

The Raiders advanced to tonight's semifinal battle, 106-105, with Indian River State College. Chad Baker-Mazarra scored 28 to lead the Raiders in the win and Panhandle Conference Player of the Year, Kasean Pryor, added 16. The Raiders led by as many as 20 points but held off a tenacious comeback from Indian River to get the win.

Chipola had to fight back to win after getting down by 17 points. Sophomores Jatarion Warren, Cliff Davis, and Deyton Albury scored 38 of the team's 42 second half points to carry the Indians to a 62-60 win over Miami-Dade.

The Indians and Raiders also met in last season's semifinals with Chipola winning 78-72.

Both teams are ranked in the NJCAA's DI Men's Basketball Rankings with the Indians coming in at #6 and the Raiders at #16. Both teams are not only looking for a state championship but also a berth to the NJCAA Tournament.