By Evan Long
On Dec. 29, the Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Sharks traveled to New Smyrna Beach High School to play the Buford High School (BHS) Wolves in the first game of the New Smyrna Beach Holliday Showcase. After a slow start on offense with 8 points in the first quarter, the Sharks bounced back with 15 points in the second quarter, giving them a 23-20 lead going into the half. However, in the third quarter, PVHS’ defense fell apart giving up 31 points, more than either team scored the whole first half, resulting in a 13-point deficit, 38-51. The Sharks ended the fourth quarter outscoring the Wolves 16-13 but ultimately ended with a bad 54-64 loss after defensive troubles. Jacksonville University senior commit, Maddox Palmer, ended with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both sophomore guard, Tyler Kroog and senior, Ryan Speace ended with double digit points with 10. The Sharks look for a bounce back win against Legacy High Charter School on Dec. 30.
“The win was big but the goal of reaching state championships hasn’t changed and we are willing to do what it takes to make that happen.
Noah Simmons (12)
On Dec. 30, PVHS faced off against the 8-2 Legacy High Charter School Eagles in their second game of the New Smyrna Beach Holliday Showcase. The Sharks outscored the Eagles 17-13 in the first quarter and 15-14 in the second, resulting in a 32-27 lead going into the half. PVHS looks to continue the smart offensive game and learn from their defensive mistakes from the last game to hold their lead. In the second half, the Sharks did exactly that outscoring Legacy Charter 31-22, giving them a strong, 63-49 win, moving Ponte Vedra up to an 8-5 season record. Speace had a very impressive 20-point game shooting 7/9 from the field to pair up with his 6 assists. Palmer put up a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. After the game, senior guard, Noah Simmons said, “The win was big but the goal of reaching state championships hasn’t changed and we are willing to do what it takes to make that happen.” The Sharks ended the tournament with a 1-1 record and look to take down the Columbia High School Tigers at home in their first game of the new year on Jan. 8.
Pictured: Maddox Palmer (12) driving towards the basketball hoop (@fenneysflics)
