The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, February 5, is Israel Wilcox of the P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) boys’ basketball team.
Wilcox, a senior, scored seven of his 14 points in the final period as the host Blue Wave rallied past city rival Gainesville, 53-49, on Tuesday night.
P.K. Yonge came out on fire in the first quarter, knocking down four three-pointers and leading the Hurricanes 20-13 after the opening eight minutes.
The offenses really hit a wall in the second quarter, as both teams only scored six points. The Blue Wave carried a 26-19 lead into the halftime break.
The Blue Wave extended the lead to as many as 12 at 31-19 halfway through the third quarter, but Gainesville took a timeout and went on a run to take a one point lead with two minutes left in the game. However, Wilcox hit a driving layup and made 5-of-8 free throws down the stretch as the Blue Wave captured the lead and held on for the win.
Byron Smith led P.K. Yonge with 18 points, including three three-pointers, and Jalen Speer made two more shots from long range and added 12 points.
Gainesville was led by senior J’len Wilson with 12 points, although Wilson missed four straight free throws in the fourth quarter. Rashawn Bradley added nine points and another senior, Desmond Ridgeway, chipped in with eight points before fouling out with 8.5 seconds left.
P.K. Yonge (20-3) won all three games this season against the rival Hurricanes by a combined nine points. The Blue Wave next travel to Buchholz (Gainesville) for another city game on Thursday.
They return home on Saturday for Senior Night against Class 1A No. 1 Hawthorne in a game you can watch online. Coverage begins at 7:15 p.m.
Gainesville, which had won eight of its last nine games, drops to 14-10 and takes on Eastside (Gainesville) in their final game of the regular season on Friday at Santa Fe College. You can watch it live, with streaming video of this city rivalry on Friday night to begin at 7:15 p.m.
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.
