Pine Crest overwhelms Verot 63-43
Size and strength prevailed in the FHSAA Class 3A boys basketball state semifinals Wednesday at Lakeland, and it didn’t play out in Bishop Verot’s favor.
The No. 6-ranked Vikings got behind early and could not put together a late comeback and lost to No. 1-ranked Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 63-43.
“We did a good job in the first quarter, but missed some shots,” said Vikings coach Matt Herting. “Then it got away from us.”
Pine Crest turned a one-point advantage into a 28-15 halftime cushion that seemed safe at the time.
“We got behind in the second half and they are so big and strong,” said Herting. “They packed it in on us.”
Though the Vikings, playing in their first FHSAA Finals at the Lakeland Center, finally found the range, but were unable to mount any sustained charge down the stretch.
“It was a thrilling chance to be here in the final four after all those years of being so close to getting here,” said Herting. “It was great to be here and I think we did darned good. You do your best and that’s how it falls.”
Pine Crest (27-4) held the Vikings at bay behind Brandon Knight’s game-high 25 points with double-figure help from Ed Waite (12 points) and Jeremiah Bell (11 points).
Brennen Melvin topped the Vikings (23-9) with 15 points with Etienne Effenberg adding 14 points.
Pine Crest plays Orlando Jones Friday in the championship game.
Bishop Verot 9 6 14 14 – 43
Pine Crest 10 18 15 20 – 63
VEROT 43 – Melvin 15, Kane 2, Thomas 6, Hagan 2, Sandoval 4, Effenberg 14. Totals: 16 6-10 43.
3-point goals: Melvin 3, Thomas 1, Effenberg 1.
PINE CREST 63 – Bell 11, Henry 6, Knight 25, Waite 12, Westbrook 9. Totals: 22 15-16 63.
3-point goals: Knight 4.