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The Eastside girls basketball team won the 4A-District 5 tournament title Friday by beating Palatka, 52-37.
A Short, Yet Stern Lead
The Rams (15-8), the top seed, started off aggressive with Precious Marshall scoring a layup within the first 20 seconds of the game.
However, two minutes later, the third seed Panthers (14-11) scored, tying the game. This pattern played out the whole quarter with both teams having equal possession of the ball.
The Rams’ offensive was playing aggressive, but there were some mistakes at the basket that kept them from gaining a stronger lead against the Panthers.
Akira Martin did an amazing job at consistently creating opportunities for the Rams through her ability to defend and take the ball up the court. Aniya West also brought home six points for the Rams, ending the quarter with the lead at 15-10.
At the end of the 1st quarter, the Rams are up, 15-10, versus the Panthers.
The game is very close with both teams giving their all on the court.
#14 Akira Martin is creating many opportunities for the Rams. #EastsideHighSchool #PalatkaHighSchool pic.twitter.com/KEkqY59NM4
— Mandy Roman (@mandy_romannn) February 10, 2024
A Stressful Second Quarter
The intensity of the game picked up quickly into the second quarter.
The Rams’ defense was looser this quarter, allowing the Panthers to gain 11 points while they only gained seven, making the score 22-21.
The Rams barely hold the lead, 22-21, against the Panthers.
The intensity picked up this quarter and the Rams fell short on some opportunities, but still are making plays.
#20 Trinity Cooper scored an amazing 3-pointer.#EastsideRams #PalatkaPanthers #GirlsBasketball pic.twitter.com/jjDfvVRZaq
— Mandy Roman (@mandy_romannn) February 10, 2024
Still Able To Stay Ahead
The Rams started off the second half strong with Marshall scoring a 3-pointer. Immediately after, Martin stole the ball from the Panthers and scored a layup. West then scored a 3-pointer, giving the Rams a solid lead.
The Panthers had no points on the scoreboard halfway into the third quarter. However, the Rams kept turning over the ball on offense because they were not taking shots in time. The Rams began to shoot less, allowing the Panthers to stay close.
Marshall scored another 3-pointer near the end of the third quarter, but the Panthers also scored, making the score 35-26 Rams after three quarters.
Eastside is still up, 35-26, versus Palatka at the end of the third quarter.
#21 Precious Marshall scored two 3-pointers this quarter.
#2 Aniya West also scored many points.
It is still a tight game.#EastsideHighSchool #PalatkaHighSchool #GirlsBasketball pic.twitter.com/eot7Wm9Qdm
— Mandy Roman (@mandy_romannn) February 10, 2024
Pushing Until The End
Keyauri O’Neal set the tone for this quarter by scoring less than a minute in. Merveille Namusura was working on offense as well, scoring a layup at 6:40. Martin followed after her at 6:16 by stealing the ball and running the whole court for a layup.
While the Rams fell short on multiple opportunities, they still dominated offensively and maintained more possessions over the Panthers. O’Neal stole the ball, which allowed Namusura to score another layup.
“That one more time. That’s what pushed us through,” coach Lonna Turner said to describe how her team secured the win. “One more time. One more quarter. One more.”
Martin, again, was on top of the ball, anticipating the Panthers’ every move and gaining points.
The game began to pick up toward the end with multiple fouls being called on the Rams as they fought to increase their lead.
“We could taste the trophy. It’s right there in front of us,” Turner said.
Jazmine Manning made a powerful block on defense, showing the Panthers that their defense was not letting up. West ended the fourth quarter with four points for the Rams for the final margin.
The Eastside Rams take home the district trophy over the Palatka Panthers.
FINAL SCORE: 52-37
The Rams dominated the scoreboard in the last quarter, solidifying their win and moving them forward on their run for states. #EastsideRams #PalatkaPanthers #GirlsBasketball pic.twitter.com/DbeCouDSyP
— Mandy Roman (@mandy_romannn) February 10, 2024
On The Road To State
The Rams left their heart out on the court tonight, Turner said, which is what has set them on this journey to the state tournament. That combined with their “Ram pride” and discipline is what will help them navigate this journey.
Eastside, as the six seed in Region 2, will play at three seed Dunnellon (22-3) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
“Yeah, we won districts, but we’re still the underdogs. They’re going to underestimate us, ” Turner said.
