Our Sonic Drive-In-Player-of-the-Game for Tuesday, January 16 is Nick Baskin of the Saint Francis Catholic Academy (Gainesville) boys’ basketball team.
The senior scored 24 points, including eight points in the fourth quarter, and hit the game-winning jumper with eight seconds left to lead Saint Francis to a 65-63 home win over Class 7A Columbia (Lake City).
Baskin gave the 3A Wolves (8-9) at 63-62 lead on a layup with 48 seconds to go in regulation. After Marcus Owens hit one-of-two free throws to tie the game with 26 seconds left, Baskin drove down and then hit a fade away jumper from behind the free throw line to give Saint Francis the lead for good.
Columbia’s Bobby Fulton, who finished with 11 points, missed a jumper before the buzzer that would have tied the game. Tray Miller led the Tigers (10-6) with 20 points, including 15 points and three three-pointers in the second quarter, and Jordan Smith was also in double figures with 10.
Baskin only scored seven points in the first half, but the Wolves still led 35-30 at the halftime break. Despite Baskin’s nine points in the third quarter, Saint Francis was outscored 24-15 by Columbia and trailed the Tigers 54-50 going in the final period.
But Saint Francis outscored Columbia 15-9 in the fourth quarter, and Baskin scored the final six points for the Wolves.
Senior Sebastian Lora Arm was the only other Wolves player in double figures with 11 points.
Saint Francis will return to action Saturday as they travel to 8A Ocoee. Columbia returns home Wednesday night to battle Santa Fe (Alachua).
Every game The Prep Zone will recognize a Player-of-the-Game. The recipient receives a $10 gift card & certificate courtesy of Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville & Ocala.
