FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High's boys basketball was surprisingly behind 19-18 to visiting Gainesville High at the halftime break of their region 1-5A quarterfinal game on Saturday in front of a sparsely filled Fleming Island High gymnasium and things looked gloomy as the Golden Eagles looked asleep in what was the first step to a state title run.

With a solemn warning from head coach Traavis Chandler, Fleming Island exploded to an overtime 75-48 win to advance to the region semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 21 against fourth seed Booker T. Washington out of Pensacola (21-5). Washington beat Tallahassee Leon 81-74 in a shooter's bonanza in their region opener. Washington had three players in double figures: 28, 17 and 16 points.

"I was a little upset that we let them stay that close because they came out shooting hot and we were kind just running around disorganized," Chandler said. "I told them to wake up and play our game."

In that shocking first half, Gainesville opened a shocking 8-2 initial lead off two 3-pointers from guard Antonio Hall that got a Chandler time out and Chandler rising from his bench seat (back injury) to address the troops.

"I told them to just relax and start applying the defensive pressure," Chandler said. "Our game plan is to just wear them down. Not many teams can run with us. Great depth on this team."

A flying layup that put Ryan Turner on his back that turned into a layup and free throw seemed to ignite the Golden Eagle challenge to respond with a baseline drive by Ayden Greenidge putting the score at 14-12 with a minute in the first period.

With Gainesville winning the battle under the boards into the second half, junior center Carson Crawford started commanding the paint and Fleming Island took control with a series of free throws from the Hurricanes' desperation to stay in the game.

A thunderous follow up rebound and dunk by Crawford ended the half with a 35-25 lead.

"We have a habit of coming out a little slow in the third and warned them not to let Gainesville get on a roll," Chandler said.

Fleming Island's tandem of guard Bryce Robinson and Crawford reversed roles as Crawford fed Robinson for a backbreaking 3-pointer to open the stanza as the Golden Eagles continued to demoralize the Hurricane lineup with a fast and furious full court pressure defense with Crawford and 6-foot-9 lane mate Jalil Hill both sharing highlight reel dunks for the Golden Eagles with Robinson pumping in another three to a 47-32 third quarter finish.

"When we get rolling, we roll," Crawford said. "Jalil is the key to protecting the boards and that frees me up to do damage on the outside. Ryan Turner and Ayden both had solid nights attacking the paint."

Back-to-back dunks from Crawford and Hill, as well as forward Isaiah Robinson got the score to 53-38 with Fleming Island blasting to a 22-6 fourth quarter to the final whistle.

Region 1-5A Bracket:
Quarters: No. 1 Fleming Island 75-48 over No. 8 Gainesville; No. 4 Washington 81-74 OT over No. 5 Leon; No. 2 Ponte Vedra 69-45 over No. 7 Mosley; No. 6 Columbia 66-65 over No. 3 Lincoln.

Semifinals: Fleming Island hosts Washington; Ponte Vedra hosts Columbia
Finals: Feb. 28