Livingston hits milestone to send Discovery over McKeel in boys basketball district semis
LAKE ALFRED — Discovery’s offense was on display, and Darius Livingston’s 1,000th point was celebrated with a brief stoppage in the game with under a minute to play, but Livingston said improved defensive play will be critical for his team's chances in the boys basketball district title game.
Livingston’s 20 points helped spark the Spartans as they defeated McKeel, 69-58, on Thursday night in the Class 4A, District 7 semifinals.
Discovery (20-5) will play top-seeded Lake Highland Prep in the district final Friday in Orlando. Lake Highland Prep is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, and Discovery is No. 22. McKeel’s season is likely over. The Wildcats (18-9) are ranked No. 9 in the region and unlikely jump over No. 8 Umatilla for the No. 8 spot. Umatilla lost on Thursday to The Villages Charter, which is No. 5 in the region.
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Against McKeel, Discovery built a 14-point lead in the third quarter, only to see McKeel rally to make it a seven-point game in the final minute. The Wildcats missed a chance to make it a five-point game after an offensive-rebound putback bounced off the rim.
Discovery closed out the quarter with four quick points to lead by 11 and pushed the lead near 20 in the fourth quarter to put away McKeel.
“We played defense, but we didn’t play our best,” Livingston said. “We’ve got to play better defense and slow down on offense.”
Livingston, a junior, has been the major catalyst offensively all year for Discovery. He leads with 22.1 points and 4.2 assists.
“He’s like our quarterback, so he’s been a key player,” Discovery coach Weedlins Beauvil said. “He’s a leader here. He trusts his coach, he trusts his team, and he’s a just a great team player.”
Livingston got his typical support. Willie Wilson score 13 points and Luscon Jean scored 12 points. Both players were right at their season scoring averages of 13.6 and 12.6 points, respectively.
Livingston’s acknowledgement has to be music to Beauvil’s ears as a product of Terrence McGriff’s Bartow program that stresses defense.
“Defense is key, Beauvil said. “Championship teams rebound. We have to play defense and also get the rebounds.”
Although Livingston said the team needs to play better,, he said that the Wildcats, who have now won seven straight games, have been playing strong defense down the stretch.
Axel Acevedo led McKeel with 14 points. Leading scorer Alex Sessoms scored 12 points, and Jackson Jonsson scored 10 points.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Darius Livingston hits milestone to send Discovery over McKeel in 4A-7
