Justin Aracena loves doing the dirty work for the BCS boys basketball team

LAKELAND -- Every team needs a Justin Aracena.

"He is a beast," said Bradenton Christian head coach after his Panthers disposed of FAMU 61-44 in their Class 2A state semifinal.

"He is our enforcer. An animal," Townsend continued in his loveable complementary way.

Aracena's value to the team was evident in the win over FAMU.

He scored eight points despite playing less than half a game because of foul trouble. The senior swingman scored his final points on a put-back three minutes into the third quarter to give the Panthers a 39-21.

A minute later Aracena was whistled for his fourth foul and went to the bench. He didn't return until midway through the fourth quarter when the Panthers lead had been cut to seven points.

"My goal is to get a rebound and be physical. I came here because I felt it would be a good fit for me and I love playing with this great group of kids," Aracena said. "We work hard everyday in practice and know what to expect when the game comes. Coach Scott pushes us really hard."

Aracena transferred from Manatee where he was the go to guy. It was difficult transition because BCS was set and the senior was going to have to fight his way on the boards to get most of his shots.

"I was not sure how Justin would take it. They leaned on him heavily at Manatee and here his role would be totally different," Townsend said. "I told him I would have a different role for him and he would have to be able to accept it. He embraced it. When he comes off the bench his goal is to be an animal on the glass."

Aracena said it was no problem. He just wanted to know how it felt to play with a winning team and be a key contributor. He might have even surprised himself with his intensity.

"Justin is only 6-3, but plays like he is 6-8. He is huge for us coming off the bench and seems to get every rebound," Townsend said.

Aracena knows what is expected of him when he goes on the court and is very comfortable with it. He doesn't have to score points to enjoy the game.

"When I come into a game my goal is to get rebound and be physical," Aracena said. "I know that i am not a three-point shooter or a slasher. I am that presence in the paint and I love playing defense, that's what i take pride in."

NOTEWORTHY -- BCS will have its hands full in the 2A state final Wednesday night against undefeated Grandview, which some consider the best team in the state regardless of classification. The Boca Raton school (30-0) owns a 72-55 victory over Sarasota Riverview, which is in the Class 8A semifinal. The Pride has won two state titles and has been state runner-up four times. This will be the second state championship game appearance for BCS, which also made it in 1997. The Panthers' last Final Four appearance was in 2009 when they lost 71-63 to Grandview. Against FAMU, the Panthers had a 19-13 edge in bench points, 32-18 in points in the paint, 11-9 in second chance points and 17-12 in points off turnovers.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Justin Aracena loves doing the dirty work for the BCS boys basketball team ."