Chipola routs Indian River, sets up epic title showdown with Okaloosa-Walton
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DUSTIN KENT / Jackson County Floridan
Published: March 7, 2008
The last time the teams played each other in Marianna, it was to decide the Panhandle Conference champion.
On Saturday night, their meeting will determine who wins the state championship and makes a run at a national crown.
Chipola advanced to the title game by routing Indian River 85-62 Friday night in the semifinals.
Casey Mitchell knocked down six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead the Indians.
Malik Alvin added 14 points for the Indians, who played 14 players in the game and scored 85 points despite shooting just 38 percent from the field and missing 19 free throws.
Chipola wasted little time seizing control of the game, jumping out to a 15-5 lead thanks to eight quick points from Mario Edwards.
After Mitchell's first triple put Chipola up 10, Mitchell connected on a long two, picked up and steal and dished to Gary Flowers for a tomahawk dunk, then nailed another 3-pointer to give the Indians a 24-8 lead.
Mitchell knocked down another 3-pointer moments later, which was followed by a 3-point play by Mario Little, a dunk by Torye Pelham and a lay-up by Vernon Teel for a 34-12 Indians advantage.
Mitchell made two more 3-pointers in the final minute of the half to give Chipola a 53-32 halftime lead.
The second half was essentially a victory lap for the Indians, who never led by fewer than 18 points in the final 20 minutes.
A 3-pointer by Artem Slipenchuck gave the Indians their largest lead of the game at 79-49.
"The kids played hard, they were very unselfish and just brought a real aggressive mindset to the game," Chipola coach Greg Heiar said after the game. "When we have that mindset, we're a very difficult team to beat."
Dane McDonald led three The River players in double figures with 11 points.
Indian River shot just 36 percent from the field, made only 13-of-34 free throws and turned the ball over 25 times on the night.
Saturday's championship game tips at 5 p.m.
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