P.K. Yonge Boys Basketball are Catching a Wave After Third Win in a Row

“Intense” is the best way to describe the atmosphere at P.K. Yonge High this Tuesday night. The P.K. Yonge Blue Waves faced off against the Buchholz Bobcats in an epic match that happens only once a year. P.K. Yonge (10-9) were coming off a two-game winning streak against district rivals Maclay High (11-7) and Oak Hall (7-7). Buchholz (7-11) had come off an 18-point win against Vanguard (10-9) a couple days back.

Before entering this game, P.K. Yonge has dominated their previous two matchups against Buchholz for the past two seasons. Last season’s game ended with a score of 56-51, and the year prior was 53-47.

The last time the Bobcats claimed victory over the Blue Waves was back in 2014 when they won 47-44.

Back and Forth They Go

Both teams came out hot when they hit their first two field goals from beyond the arc. Buchholz later had a comfortable 12-7 lead before P.K. Yonge had a quick 8-0 run to take back the lead with a 1:55 left. Then, Buchholz junior Trent Whittemore connected on an and-one free throw to pull within four. The quarter ended with the Blue Waves on top 19-15.

By the end of the first half, the Blue Waves were still leading the Bobcats 27-24 with the help of sophomore Jalen Speer’s 16 points and a solid 3-3 shooting from the three-point line. The Bobcats leading scorer was Whittemore with 12 points.

Second Half

The Bobcats led late in the third quarter, 35-31, before P.K. Yonge went on a 9-0 scoring run to put them up 40-35 heading into the fourth.

Great ball movement by PK Yonge. #HighschoolBasketball #Buchholz #PKYonge pic.twitter.com/qa4UNUCw9X

— Marco Martinez (@MarcoJMartinez_) January 24, 2018

The final quarter was a blast from start to finish. The two teams started to get chippy on both sides of the ball, especially in the final seconds of the game. Whittemore hit a decisive three-pointer with 9 seconds left to bring the game within two, 54-52.

Buchholz commits a foul on P.K. to force free throws and make one out of two. The Bobcats have possession with seven seconds left and turn the ball over. P.K. Yonge head to the free throw line, making both attempts, game over.

Game-sealing steak by P.K Yonge in the final seconds of the game. pic.twitter.com/yIsfQbcC4i

— Marco Martinez (@MarcoJMartinez_) January 24, 2018

Blue Wave Key Players:

• Jalen Speer finished with 27 points, 5 three-pointers, and 5-7 from the line.
• William Banks finished with 10 points.

Bobcats Key Players:

• Trent Whittemore finished with 22 points.
• Brooks Walton finished with 15 points.

P.K. Yonge 57 – 52 Buchholz

Another big reason as to why the Blue Waves maintained their lead throughout all 4 quarters was starting point guard Israel Wilcox. It’s hard not to notice him when he stands at 5’5. Here is head coach Billy Blackmon’s thoughts on his starting point guard.

He also had some thoughts on Jalen Speer.

“He knocked down some big shots for us throughout the stretch,” said Blackmon. “We started feeding him the hot hand early and he just started hitting shots and rode him to victory.”

What’s Next

P.K. Yonge faces off against inner-city rivals the Eastside Rams (14-4) this Saturday @ Eastside, who is on a current two-game winning streak.

“They’re going to be a really tough opponent,” said Blackmon. “They beat GHS (Gainesville High) by 20 and GHS beat us by 15 last time we played, but it’s going to be a really good game. But my guys are going to be up for it and they’re going to be well-coached and ready for the game.”

Buchholz will face Bartram Trail (13-5) on Thursday @ Buchholz.