Tampa Catholic defeats Tampa Prep in Class 3A, District 9 semifinal

The Crusaders will face Berkeley Prep in a rematch of last year’s district championship

TAMPA, FLORIDA- The last time Tampa Catholic and Tampa Prep squared off, it became an instant classic in the series between the two squads. 

It would be the Terrapins back on Jan. 30, getting off to a hot start and narrowly defeating the Crusaders 81-80 that night. 

In Thursday night’s Class 3A, District 9 semifinal between the two clubs, it became role reversal from the first meeting. Tampa Catholic got off to a strong start, led by guard Colby Cannizzaro, and were able to defeat Tampa Prep 75-62 at Berkeley Prep School. 

The Crusaders will face off against Berkeley Prep, whom easily defeated Brooks-DeBartolo 74-39, in a rematch of last year’s 3A-9 championship. 

“Very much role reversal,” Tampa Catholic head coach Don Dziagwa said. “I don’t know if we can play any better than what we did at the beginning of the ball game. I think we were making every shot, but we knew we couldn’t do that for an entire game. (Tampa Prep) is a good team.” 

Though Dziagwa may have had doubts if his team could shoot lights out against the Terrapins, it looked as if Cannizzaro couldn’t miss in the opening minutes. 

The shooting guard wasted no time in finding his groove, as Cannizzaro recovered the opening tip off, pulled up and knocked down a 3-pointer. It was a sign of things to follow. 

Opening tip here and @CannizzaroColby knocks down this 3-pointer to kick things off. pic.twitter.com/LYTP3g2qnc

— Andy Villamarzo (@Andy_Villamarzo) February 8, 2024

Cannizzaro (21 points, three rebounds, three steals) ended up leading the team to an impressive 11-0 run to start the game, with the junior scoring eight points and dishing out an assist. 

Tampa Prep (23-4) finally got on the board after the initial run, but never really slowed the Crusaders down at all. Tampa Catholic continued building on the lead and eventually escaped the quarter with a 30-13 advantage. 

The Crusaders’ lead would balloon to 35-15 before the Terrapins started to make a run of their own to close the gap. Tampa Prep got to within 40-30 and 42-32 during the second quarter and went into intermission trailing 44-32. 

Chandler White Brooks (20 points) wouldn’t let the Terrapins go down quietly whatsoever in the second half. The senior guard kept plugging away and knocking down baskets, climbing Tampa Prep to within 53-47 by the end of the third period. 

White Brooks again but for 3, which cuts it down to 53-44 👀 pic.twitter.com/pZAxz5xju7

— Andy Villamarzo (@Andy_Villamarzo) February 8, 2024

Six points is the closest the Terrapins would ever get within the Crusaders on the evening, as they were never able to get it to a one-possession game. Tampa Catholic led 65-59 with 3:12 remaining in the game and found ways to add to its lead. 

Junior point guard Isaiah Campbell-Finch led the Crusaders in scoring with 29 points and also added seven assists, six rebounds. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl