High school roundup (Jan. 15-20): Sarasota High boys picks up tempo, downs Palmetto Ridge

SATURDAY

BOYS BASKETBALL

Wally Keller Classic

(at Charlotte High School)

Sarasota 65, Palmetto Ridge 52

PUNTA GORDA − When the Palmetto Ridge High boys basketball team won the opening tip and held the ball for more than a minute before attempting a shot, BJ Ivey knew he would have to do something to increase the tempo.

Ivey had his Sarasota team turn up the pressure in the second quarter and that led to a surge in offense.

The Sailors used a spurt before halftime to take the lead for good, and Sarasota went on to a 65-52 victory over the Bears at the 18th Annual Wally Keller Classic on Saturday at Charlotte High.

It was Sarasota’s second straight victory in the event, having defeated Leto High out of Tampa, 68-62, late Friday night.

The quick turnaround had little effect on the Sailors.

Michael Drayton III dropped in two layups early in the second quarter to break an 18-all deadlock and give Sarasota (17-2) lead it did not relinquish.

“We felt we had the ability to create more possessions in the game and had the ability to turn them over,” Ivey said. “They did a really good job in the beginning to come out and hold it. So we knew we had to change our strategy a little bit, up the tempo and force them to play a little faster than they wanted to.”

Playing without senior point giurd Sean Gomez, Palmetto Ridge (16-3) got to within four in the third quarter on a putback by Calven Charles, who finished with a team-high 19-points.

Sarasota responded with five straight points, the final four by freshman Johnny Lackaff, who finished with a game-high 21 points, and the Sailors kept an arm’s length away the rest of the way.

“We had our moments where we missed our assignments, but increasing the pace of the game bode well for us,” Ivey said.

Drayton ended with 17 points and was the Player of the Game for the Sailors. Danny Munn chipped in with 11 points.

Jaden Brightmon had all 15 of his points in the first half and was named Player of the Game for the Bears.

First Baptist Academy 66, North Port 48

The Bobcats hung tough early but gave up too many offensive rebounds leading to easy baskets for the Lions.

“They’re just really long,” North Port coach Bruce Wallace said of First Baptist. “We would cut it to eight and then never get a stop. When we did get stops, they would get an offensive rebound.”

First Baptist (14-3) broke a 13-all tie with the final basket of the first quarter and never looked back.

“They’re really good,” Wallace said of the Lions.

The Bobcats (13-7) got to within 34-28 on a basket by Jackson Kinker to begin the second half, but the Lions gradually pulled away.

“We didn’t play bad, but we didn’t play our best basketball,” Wallace said.

Eli Lubsey led the Bobcats with 16 points and was named the Player of the Game for North Port. Isaiah Gabriel ended with 10 points and Kinker eight for the Bobcats.

Adrian Rodriguez led all scorers with 23 points, matching his uniform number. He was the Player of the Game for the Lions.

− Dennis Maffezzoli

Sarasota Christian 70, Seven Rivers Christian 32 (SSAA 5A consolation)

AT: Winter Haven

TOP PLAYERS: (SC) Ben Milliken 20 points, Matthias Hulka 16 points, Josh Frazzini 14 points, Justin Brock 9 points, Carson Spenn4 points, Mason Miller 3 points, Randall Collins 2 points, Trey Featherston 1 point

RECORD: Sarasota Christian 13-6

NEXT: Sarasota Christian hosts Imdian Rocks Christian, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

BOYS BASKETBALL

Jacksonville Eagle's View 61, Sarasota Christian 50 (SSAA 5A semifinal)

AT: Winter Haven

TOP PLAYERS: (SC) Matthias Hulka 19 points, Josh Frazzini 15 points, Ben Milliken 12 points, Trey Featherston 4 points

RECORD: Sarasota Christian 12-6

NEXT: Sarasota Christian vs. Seven Rivers Christian in 5A consolation, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Cardinal Mooney 61, Bradenton Christian 55

AT: Bradenton Christian

TOP PLAYERS: (CM) Kevin O'Donoghue 23 points, Connor Heald 20 points, Carter Julia 13 points

RECORD: Cardinal Mooney 13-7

NEXT: Cardinal Mooney hosts Braden River, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Braden River 49, Parrish 42

AT: Parrish

TOP PLAYERS: (P) Dylan Higgins 18 points, Malakai Cuffy 15 points

RECORD: Parrish 14-6

NEXT: Parrish at Saint Stephen's, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Booker 61, Venice 48

AT: Venice

TOP PLAYERS: (B) Jovan Palavra 19 points, Jamareon Ruffin 11 points, Darius Behn 10 points, Jaydin Smith 9 points

RECORD: Booker 10-9

NEXT: Booker at Bayshore, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Sarasota 68, Leto 62

AT: Charlotte High in Wally Keller Classic

TOP PLAYERS: (S) Oliver Boyle 16 points, 11 rebounds; Franklin Liriano 15 points, 3 rebounds

RECORD: Sarasota 16-2

NEXT: Sarasota vs, Palmetto Ridge, Wally Keller Classic, Saturday, 4:20 p.m.

THURSDAY

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Booker 56, Sarasota 54

SARASOTA − A couple of trends were bucked, but one remained the same: The Booker High girls basketball team still has Sarasota High’s number.

The short-handed Tornadoes got two free throws from junior Jsiyah Taylor with 38.4 seconds remaining in regulation time and survived a couple of Sailor misses down the stretch to take a 56-54 victory Thursday night at Tornado Alley.

It was Booker’s fifth straight win over Sarasota after the Tornadoes lost 16 consecutive games to the Sailors dating back to 2009.

Playing without injured Jakai Peterson and Coach Ty Bryant, Booker (6-8) snapped a three-game losing streak while ending Sarasota’s four-game winning streak.

Trailing 54-49 after Sailors senior Sofi Miller canned a 3-pointer with 5:18 left in the fourth quarter, the Tornadoes quickly got even on a 3-pointer by senior Daimyah Ayers and a jumper by sophomore Yvette Brown.

The defenses then dominated the next four minutes.

Taylor was fouled after grabbing a rebound and calmly made two free throws to snap the deadlock. Sarasota (12-5) had two shots and two turnovers in its final four possessions.

“We had opportunities to win. The shots just didn’t fall,” Sailors coach Radhika Miller said. “We had some good looks.”

In an up-and-down-the-court game, Booker just wanted to take care of the basketball down the stretch and defend.

“Defense is going to win us games,” Booker assistant Morgan Lumb said. “Late in the game we had to take care of the ball and defend.”

There were 10 lead changes and four ties in the spirited game.

Booker made its living offensively by driving to the basket, but knocked down three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

The Sailors switched from man-to-man, to 1-2-2, 1-3-1 and 2-3 zone defenses.

“We play those defenses regularly,” Coach Miller said, pointing out that the 2-3 zone was the best Thursday. “After this game we can defend anybody. Booker has a very athletic team. They get to the rim well. We did a good job of handling that. We worked on collapsing and taking away those drive lanes. I was proud of my team’s effort defensively tonight.

“They knocked down some threes. And it was a game of momentum back and forth.”

Sarasota at times had difficulty with the Tornadoes’ swarming, pressing defense

“We re-emphasised in practice that we get seven, eight players to take care of the basketball,” Coach Miller said. “It shows the continued growth and maturity of the team as we proceed throughout the season.”

In posting its first win of 2024 and the first in three home games this season, Booker held its composure down the stretch.

“It’s been a tough season,” Lumb said. “When Jakai went down, it made other people step up. That’s what really showed tonight.”

Whether it was Taylor’s ball handling and clutch free throws, Cheyla Zastrow’s work around the basket and Terrietta Smith’s ball-pressure defense, it took an entire team effort.

“We all played for each other,” Lumb said. “We don’t like moral victories. We knew it was a city game coming in here. When you play a city game, it’s a little different. We can’t let down.”

Zastrow led the way with 16 points. Brown chipped in with 12 points and Taylor finished with 11 points.

“We couldn’t figure out their defense for a little while,” Lumb said. “They changed defenses up. At the end of the game, we figured it out. We had to space out a little bit and take care of the basketball.”

Sophomore Paisley Binswanger scored 16 and Sofi Miller had 15 points for the Sailors, who also got six each from Kennedy McClain, Katelyn Barker and Alyssia Bane.

“We will grow from this game, and we will get better from this game,” Coach Miller said. “Offensively, we’ve just got to knock down them shots.”

Sarasota had a road game Saturday at Seffner Christian. Booker is back in action Monday at home against Keswick Christian.

− Dennis Maffezzoli

BOYS BASKETBALL

Imagine School at North Port 90, Lemon Bay 80

AT: Imagine School

TOP PLAYERS: (IS) Angelo Blas 29 points, Zahmir Jackson 21 points, JJ Hall 16 points

RECORD: Imagine School 8-12

NEXT: Imagine School hosts Saint Stephen's, Jan 26, 7 p.m.

Cardinal Mooney 66, Southeast 36

AT: Southeast

TOP PLAYERS: (CM) Kevin O'Donoghue 24 points, Connor Heald 23 points

RECORD: Cardinal Mooney 12-7

NEXT; Cardinal Mooney at Bradenton Christian, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

BOYS BASKETBALL

Booker 61, Riverview 57

AT: Riverview

TOP PLAYERS: (B) Jovan Palavra 24 points, Jamareon Ruffin 15 points

RECORDS: Booker 9-9, Riverview 12-7

NEXT: Booker plays at Venice, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Sarasota Christian 56, Saint Stephen's 48

AT Saint Stephen's

TOP PLAYERS: (SC) Matthias Hulka 17 points, Josh Frazzini 14 points, Ben Milliken 11 points, Trey Featherston 4 points, Randall Collins 3 popints, Justin Brock 3 points, Colton Loftus 2 points, Carson Spenn 1 point

RECORDS: Sarasota Christian 12-5, Saint Stephen's 3-13

NEXT: Sarasota Christian vs. Jacksonville Eagle's View Academy in the SSAA 5A semifinal, Friday, 5:30 p.m. in Winter Haven

Parrish 54, Lakewood Ranch 41

AT: Lakewood Ranch

TOP PLAYERS: (P) Malakai Cuffy 17 points, Miles Fetterman 14 points, Lane Tomlinson 10 points, 11 rebounds; (LR) Leo Henderson

RECORD: Parrish 14-5

NEXT: Parrish at Bradenton Christian, Monday, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

GIRLS BASKETBALL

North Port 43, Manatee 31

NORTH PORT − Curtis Tillman admits he does not know what he is going to receive from his young North Port High girls basketball team on a game-to-game basis.

Tuesday evening, Tillman got more good than bad.

The Bobcats grabbed an early advantage and held off a late surge by Manatee High to take a 43-31 victory at The Cage.

For the most part, North Port (7-11) followed the script of playing aggressive defense and cashing in on turnovers.

“It’s the activity on defense,” Tillman said. “They were actually dialed in and actually stuck to the game plan we had on defense: active hands and active feet. We haven’t had that lately.”

Tillman could see the defense starting to come around in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s 61-38 loss at Port Charlotte High.

“It was one of those things that carried over,” Tillman said. “The first three quarters it was terrible. We come out in the fourth quarter and come out tonight with great defense. It’s just inexperienced part and getting them to dial in.”

The Bobcats scored the final three points of the first quarter to break a 6-all tie. Narissa Houghland and Yaritza Sheppard opened the second quarter with 3-pointers to build a 15-6 advantage.

With seven different players scoring in the opening 16 minutes, the lead swelled to 30-14 at halftime. North Port took a 20-point advantage at the outset of the third quarter and led 37-17 going into the fourth quarter.

That is when the Hurricanes made a game of it.

“We put a little bit of inexperience in at the end of the third and early in the fourth, just trying to get the girls some playing time who don’t get playing time,” Tillman said. “We just had problems scoring the ball. So I had to go back to my starters the last few minutes to make sure we sealed that win.”

With sophomore Denylah Smalls (13 points) scoring seven straight, Manatee outscored the Bobcats 14-6 during the final six minutes to leave Coach Latece Luther feeling a little bit better.

“I did like our fight coming back,” Luther said. “And that was actually with my younger girls. That was to give my older girls a breather, and I didn’t take them out.”

Early, it was turnovers and missed free throws that dug the hole for Manatee. The Hurricanes (9-6) made 2-of-12 from the line in the first half and 8-of-23 overall.

“Too many turnovers and our girls just got tired,” Luther said.

It was North Port’s second win this season over the Hurricanes. The Bobcats, who do not have a senior on the team, also won 43-24 on Dec. 12 in Bradenton.

“They just play hard. They play really hard,” Luther said of North Port. “Our girls get tired and they start to feel bad for themselves at times.”

Now, Tillman hopes to carry over the momentum into Friday’s game at Lemon Bay High.

“If we keep up that defense and minimize our turnovers, we can compete with anybody,” Tillman said. “Right now, the turnovers have been killing us and just not being active on defense.”

Manatee, which had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time in six road games, returns to action Monday at Palmetto High.

− Dennis Maffezzoli

Sarasota 66, Southeast 27

AT: Southeast

TOP PLAYERS: (SA) Sofi Miller 16 points, 6 rebounds; Ghita DiNota 14 points, 6 steals; Alyssia Bane 12 points, 8 steals; Paisley Binswanger 10 points; Kennedy McClain 8 points

RECORD: Sarasota 12-4

NEXT: Sarasota at Booker, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Imagine School at North Port 67, Sarasota Military Academy 30

AT: SMA

TOP PLAYERS: (IM) Zahmir Jackson 20 points, JJ Hall 17 points; Brennan Taft and Wesley Woods, each with 8 points

RECORDS: Imagine School 7-12, SMA 2-7

NEXT: Imagine School hosts Lemon Bay, Thursday, 7 p.m.

MONDAY

MLK Classic Boys Basketball Showcase

The first Martin Luther King Jr. Showcase, designed by Booker High boys basketball coach Carl Williams, featured 10 boys basketball games during a two-day period (Saturday and Monday) at Tornado Alley.

It was a different format from the past seasons when Booker High would be pitted against area foes.

In all, 12 different teams took the floor, including area teams Riverview High, Southeast High, Palmetto High, Imagine School at North Port and host Tornadoes played two games, while Cardinal Mooney Catholic High played one. Out-of-area teams who made the trip for two games were Fort Myers, Berkeley Prep out of Tampa and Calvary Christian out of Clearwater played one.

“What a great event. What a great event,” Williams beamed.

Others agreed and wanted to be included in next year’s field.

“That was the greatest feeling I have. If we are doing it again next year, can I get on the list to come back,” Williams said. “I feel like it’s probably going to be a bigger showcase.”

And it all was for a good cause and a vision of Booker High principal Dr. Rachel Shelley.

“I’m honored we can do it for Booker High School and Dr. Shelley, because that’s what she’s about: community,” Williams said. “Whatever community you are part of, let’s bring you together.”

Both days were a little hectic at the end for Williams, who had to coach his Tornadoes. But going 2-0 in the event, winning cured everything.

“It’s all worth it,” Williams said. “It was great competition. I love to see people win the right way and not win the right way. We didn’t have any real injuries for anybody that played in it. That’s a big thing for me.

“It helps. If you don’t win, it could also be helpful, because you can learn things playing better teams.

“I couldn’t be more excited for the event,”

After the five games Monday, the Cardinal Mooney and Booker girls basketball teams played a junior varsity game and varsity game.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Riverview 72, Riverdale 59

TOP PLAYERS: R’view, Jeremiah Dawson 20 points, 7 rebounds, Jayden Dudash 16 points, 10 rebounds, Josh Harris 16 points; R’dale, Jamar Underwood 17 points, Konner Vonhagen 14 points, Framel Avila 11 points, Destin Bass 11 points.

RECORDS: Riverview 12-6, Riverdale 8-9.

OF NOTE: Riverview outscored Riverdale, 31-11, in the third quarter to break open a close game. … Riverview has a two-game winning streak, winning both games in the event.

Fort Myers 64, Southeast 53

TOP PLAYERS: FM, Martin Tory 21 points, Therry Theresias 12 points; SE, Jamarri Bivans 23 points, Anquan Polynice 9 points.

RECORDS: Southeast 7-9, Fort Myers 10-6.

OF NOTE: Fort Myers opened a 19-14 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. … Fort Myers snapped a two-game losing streak. … Southeast has lost three straight.

Calvary Christian (Clearwater) 74, Palmetto 66

TOP PLAYERS: P, Amir Parrimon 21 points, Evan Roberts 17 points, Brian Heaven 16; C, Ethan Sabec 32, Ace Taylor 24, Madden Geiger 13.

RECORDS: Palmetto 8-4, Calvary Christian 9-8.

OF NOTE: Palmetto’s Evan Roberts hit a 3-pointer at halftime to break a 32-all tie. … Palmetto has lost three straight.

Berkeley Prep 71, North Port 41

TOP PLAYERS: NP, Eli Lubsey 17, Brennen Ingle 16; BP, Matthew Abel IV 22

RECORDS: North Port 13-6, Berkeley Prep 13-2

OF NOTE: North Port has lost two straight. … Matthew Abel IV played at Parrish Community High last season.

Booker 59, Imagine School at North Port 42

TOP PLAYERS: B, Jovan Palavra 22 points, Jaydin Stevens 7 points, Kaiden Wright 7 points, ISNP, Angelo Blas 14 points, JJ Hall 9 points.

RECORDS: Booker 8-9, Imagine School at North Port 6-12.

OF NOTE: Booker outscored Imagine School at North Port, 22-7, in the second quarter to break a 12-all tie. … Imagine School at North Port defeated Booker, 70-64, earlier in the season. … Booker extended its winning streak to two games.

Parrish 55, Lemon Bay 43

AT: Parrish

TOP PLAYERS: (P) Taye Green 14 points, Dylan Higgins 13 points, Malakai Cuffy 10 points, Jamaal George 10 points

RECORD: Parrish 13-5

NEXT: Parrish hosts Lakewood Ranch, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s scores

Berkeley Prep 72, Palmetto 41

Riverdale 87, Southeast 71

Booker 54, Fort Myers 53

Riverview 84, Imagine School at North Port 42

Cardinal Mooney 67, North Port 52

− Dennis Maffezzoli

BOYS BASKETBALL

Parrish Community 55, Lemon Bay 43

AT: Parrish Community

TOP PLAYERS: P, J. Green 14 points, D. Higgins 13 points, M. Cuffy 10 points, J. George 10 points, LB, C. Benedict 12

RECORD: Parrish Community 13-5.

NEXT: Lakewood Ranch at Parrish Community

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Manatee high school sports roundup for the week of Jan. 15-20