Log in

Wekiva advances to Elite Eight with come-from-behind road win

Posted

Mustangs rally past Boone in overtime 37-35

It was an ugly, chaotic, defensive struggle... but more importantly, it was a win. And in playoff basketball, a win is all that matters.

The Wekiva High Mustangs improved its record to 24-5 in defeating the Boone High Braves 37-35 in the Class 9A, Region 1 semifinal game. Boone ends its season with a 21-8 record. The Mustangs move on to the regional finals - The Elite Eight of high school basketball.

And while Wekiva did not display the offensive skills fans would want to see in a playoff game, its survival skills were never more prominent than tonight.

The Mustangs trailed 21-15 after a lackluster first half of scoring. That situation became even more alarming when they fell behind 29-20 halfway through the third quarter. However as they have done many times in this storybook season, Wekiva stormed back to tie the game 35-35 by the end of regulation. and shutout Boone in overtime and win off a single field goal by senior center Paul Reed in the extra period.

A single field goal by senior center Paul Reed early in the extra period didn't seem like an extremely significant moment in the game, but it turned out to be the game-winner as Wekiva held Boone scoreless throughout overtime. Reed's jumper turned out to be the only two points scored in the entire period.

Wekiva will return home against the Oviedo High Lions on Friday night at 7PM for a regional championship matchup. The winner punches its ticket to next week’s state tournament in Lakeland. High school basketball's Final Four.

Oviedo is 21-7 this season and defeated Flagler Palm Coast 59-52 last night to advance to the regional finals. The Lions and Mustangs have not played against each other this season.

Wekiva junior forward Jeremy Johnson led all scorers with 15 points. Junior point guard Sean Halloran led Boone scorers with 12 points.

 

 

Wekiva High Mustangs

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here