The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Thursday, February 27, is Israel Wilcox of the P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) boys’ basketball team.
Big things come in small packages.
The “5-foot nothing” guard hit a floater on the left baseline just prior to the buzzer as P.K. Yonge defeated No. 2 Providence (Jacksonville), 43-42, in a Class 4A-Region 1 Final. The win sent the Blue Wave (18-11) on to next week’s FHSAA Class 4A state semifinals in Lakeland.
“That kid, he plays like a 7-footer,” P.K. Yonge coach Billy Blackmon told the Gainesville Sun. “He plays so darn hard.”
The senior finished with a team-high 14 points. He scored half of those (7) in the final quarter, including the game-winner.
The visiting Stallions (23-6) built a 22-12 lead at the half, but Wilcox caught fire in the fourth quarter as P.K. Yonge outscored Providence, 17-10, securing its first final four appearance since 2008.
Every game The Prep Zone will recognize a Player-of-the-Game. The recipient receives a $10 gift certificate courtesy of Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville & Ocala.
