Gators notch 5th straight win
Sam Merchant returned to the lineup after a one-game absence ad led Island Coast to a 67-49 victory Friday night over District 6-10 rival North Fort Myers.
Merchant pitched in a game-high 28 points to go with eight rebounds and three steals while Craig Sirmons added 11 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.
The Gators never trailed, leading 34-27 at the half.
“I think we wore them down defensively in the second half,” said Gators coach Greg Coleman. “We got balanced scoring throughout.”
Leading just 46-42 after three periods, Merchant sparked the Gators with six points in the fourth quarter and Sirmons chipped in five down the stretch to seal the Gators’ fifth straight win.
The Gators (7-3, 4-1 district) travel to Charlotte on Tuesday for another district contest.
Mariner 77, Immokalee 62: Five players reached double figures in scoring Friday night to carry Mariner to a District 5A-12 victory at Immokalee.
Tyrell Smith led the Tritons with 13 points and nine rebounds. He was backed by four teammates with 11 points apiece for Isaiah Darrett, Jamel Myers, Sean Kostyk and Amari Haynes. The Tritons put the game away in the third period by outscoring the Indians 30-14.
“I think we responded well and got the game back to our pace in the third quarter,” said Tritons coach James Harris.
The Tritons (10-0) host North Fort Myers next Thursday.
Boys Soccer
Cape Coral 2, Barron Collier 0: Camilo Avendano broke a scoreless tie in the second half with a goal off an assist by Jose Parra giving Cape Coral what proved to be the game-winning goal Friday night.
Avendano then turned around and assisted Kevin Retana on an insurance goal later in the half to seal the win. Goalkeeper Steven Patino was credited with nine saves.
The Seahawks (11-1, 5-0 district) host Dunbar on Tuesday.
Girls Soccer
North Fort Myers 3, Estero 0: Maddie Lampkins converted a penalty kick that proved to be the game-winning goal breaking a scoreless tie in the second half Friday night at Estero.
Taylor Kruse and Gabby Ciancimino tacked on insurance goals while Coral Jarvis made a dozen saves to preserve the shutout. The Red Knights (12-1-1) visit Mariner on Tuesday.