By Dylan McAdoo
The Ponte Vedra High School Sharks basketball team tipped off against the Fletcher High School Senators. The game started off on the right foot for the Sharks as they jumped out to an early lead. They were in full control of the Senators, leading 13-8 at the end of the first quarter. It quickly changed in the second quarter, as the Senators started to execute elite basketball. At halftime, the score was 27-24 in favor of the Senators. The third quarter shifted back in favor of the Sharks as they took the lead and held on to it going into the fourth. The Sharks just needed to play solid defense, and they would walk away with the win. However, the Sharks could not close it out, as the Senators took the lead and clinched the win. The final score was 50-49. The Sharks’ leading scorer was junior small forward Maddox Palmer, who scored 13 points.
The next matchup for the Sharks was against the Raines High School Vikings. The Sharks were looking to get back on the winning track. The defense came up big for the Sharks to start the game, holding the Vikings to just 6 points. The Sharks racked up 25 points in the first half compared to the Vikings’ 15. The Sharks defense played their best game of the season, not allowing the Vikings to score more than 10 points in any quarter. The Sharks’ offense got it done, putting up 62 points. The Sharks won by a score of 62-29. Palmer led the charge, scoring 18 points.
“We have to refuse to give up and keep battling, like champions do.”
David Sanchez (12)
The Sharks’ next matchup was a tough one. They faced off against the Andrew Jackson High School Tigers. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, winning the first quarter 15-9. The Sharks looked to mount a comeback, but they fell short. They were down big at halftime, trailing 33-20. The Sharks had a giant uphill climb ahead of them if they wanted to win. They couldn’t close the gap in the third quarter, as the Tigers took over the period, winning it 26-14. The game was all but over before the fourth quarter, despite the Sharks rallying in the final period. They fell short, losing 74-54. Junior power forward Trace Westercamp scored 17 points in the loss. Senior guard, David Sanchez spoke on the games “We have to refuse to give up and keep battling, like champions do.”
Pictured: Alex Katsikas (12) shooting a three pointer. Credit to Alex Fenney @fenneysflics
