Bass at the buzzer: Brandon Bass Jr., Windermere Prep stun Providence in boys hoops finish

For nearly an entire game, Providence's defense held Brandon Bass Jr. in check.

Then Windermere Prep's sophomore showed why he's got the likes of LSU pursuing him for the next level.

Windermere Prep guard Bass capped a whirlwind comeback with a layup plus a free throw at the 0.1-second mark, a crushing final minute to stun Providence 39-38 in Wednesday night's Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A boys basketball semifinal in Lakeland.

Providence (24-6) had led by five points with a minute to go, only to exit in a turnover-plagued conclusion at the hands of Bass and the Lakers (24-7) for the second consecutive year.

After a Malachi Martis free throw made it 38-34, followed by a Stallion turnover, Bass hit a basket with 33 seconds left to cut the game to one score. He then stole the ball again at the 12-second mark.

Following a timeout, he slashed inside from the left and drew a foul from Providence guard Chris Arias — contact that officials ruled in the act of shooting. The floating shot from Bass went in despite the contact, and when he sank the ensuing free throw, Providence was left stunned.

Bass and Gustavo Roca each scored nine points for the Lakers, who advance to the 8 p.m. Friday final against reigning champion Riviera Prep.

As they have all year long, the Stallions stood tall most of the way with defensive intensity, holding Windermere Prep's Bass scoreless until the game's final seven minutes and contained the damage (8 points, 9 rebounds) from 7-foot sophomore center Sinan Huan.

Until Bass led his rally, a finishing flourish from Anderson signee Caleb McAbee looked set to push Providence over the top. Windermere Prep still led 31-30 when McAbee hit a go-ahead layup with 4:16 to go. He followed with a 3-pointer and another layup in the following minute for a 37-33 Stallion edge.

McAbee and David Fonville each scored 11 points, while Arias and Brady Patterson played all 32 minutes for a Providence team set to graduate all five senior starters.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Providence-Windermere Prep: FHSAA boys basketball state semifinal 2024