Bishop Verot escapes with 53-50 win
It was difficult for Bishop Verot to close out Tampa Berkeley Prep in a Region 3A-3 semifinals game Tuesday night, but at this point in the season, surviving is the main objective.
After squandering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, the host Vikings survived Berkeley Prep’s come-from-behind charge for a 53-50 win. The Vikings advance to the regional finals for the third time in three seasons, and host Melbourne Central Catholic, which beat Melbourne West Shore 52-36, at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Vikings (22-8) seek their first ever trip to state final four.
“We did a great job defensively for three quarters. I didn’t know if we could sustain that effort,” Verot coach Matt Herting said. “We had some key turnovers in the second half that kept them in it.”
John Gray scored 22 points and led the comeback bid by Berkeley Prep (25-4), which trailed 40-26 after three quarters.
Jesse Kane made two free throws with 12 seconds left, putting the Vikings up by the final margin. Brennen Melvin stole a pass with eight seconds left to secure the victory.
Melvin finished with 18 points and 11 assists. Etienne Effenberg tallied 19 points and nine rebounds.
Berkeley Prep 10 9 7 24 – 50
Bishop Verot 20 6 14 13 – 53
Berkeley Prep 50 – Nelson Agholar 10, Daniel Cole 3, John Gray 22, Chris Reintgen 8, Austin Suarez 7. Totals: 16 11-17 50.
3-point goals: Gray 4, Agholar 2, Cole 1.
Bishop Verot 53 – Brennan Melvin 18, Jesse Kane 7, Jacquard Hagan 7, Abner Sandoval 2, Etienne Effenberg 19. Totals: 18 13-21 53.
3-point goals: Melvin 2, Kane 1, Hagan 1.
In other regional basketball action Tuesday involving Southwest Florida schools, Naples Lely downed Clewiston 75-62 in Region 4A-3; Community School of Naples edged St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut 48-43 in Region 2A-3; and Venice topped Gulfport Boca Ciega 35-33 in Region 5A-3.