The Stallions knocked off Miami Country Day 51-43 to claim the program’s fourth State Title and break a 10-year Jacksonville boys basketball title drought.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The wait is over. 

After a 10-year drought, Jacksonville have their first boys basketball champions – the Providence Stallions. 

The Stallions were crowned the champions of FHSAA 2A after a 51-43 win over Miami Country Day on Saturday night at UNF Arena. 

“We’ve been working hard all year, the mindset was to win a state title and these guys accomplished everything that we set out to do,” head coach Jim Martin said.

With the win, Providence (29-3) also became the first local team to win State in Jacksonville. 

The game was tied at 24 at the half and the Stallions only had a two-point lead at the end of the third quarter. They pulled away in the fourth to clinch their first State title since 2015 and both the program and Martin’s fourth. 

“Lots of early mornings, late nights. We were in the gym nearly every day, barely got a day off, but I’m just so proud of my team right now,” Junior forward Nolan Nelson said. 

Nelson recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds while Ryan Gornto notched 14 points. Both players had massive buckets for the Stallions in the fourth quarter to secure their 17th straight win.

Providence is the first of 11 local teams who made it to the FHSAA State Tournament to win State, six other area teams will play in final four games starting next week. That includes Bolles girls, Bishop Kenny boys and girls, Fleming Island boys, Andrew Jackson boys and Bartram Trail girls.Â