Westminster defeats Sagemont to reach final
FORT LAUDERDALE — Down 37-26 midway through the third quarter, Westminster Academy rallied with a 34-13 run to close out the game in a 60-50 Class 3A boys basketball regional semifinal victory Tuesday night over Sagemont ofWeston.
Twice earlier this season, Westminster had used fourth-quarter rallies to beat Sagemont, including in the district championship.
“This team’s got something special,” Westminster coach Ehren Wallhoff said. “It’s got that no-die attitude. It just knows that we can come back from anything at any time.
“We had success with man [defense] in the district final against them and we waited to show it until later in the game. And they stepped up again and again and again making plays. I knew they’d do it again.”
Junior guard Jerald Butler led four players in double figures for Westminster with 17 points. Sophomore guard Zachary Scott added 14, freshman guard Chase Johnston 13 and junior center Paul Atkinson had11.
Westminster (23-6) of Fort Lauderdale advances to the regional finals, where they will travel to face Community School of Naples on Saturday.
Tyler Polley and Tomas Verbinskis — both juniors — paced Sagemont with 13 points apiece, and Boston College recruit Nik Popovic added10. Sagemont ends its season at 22-8.
“It’s frustrating,” Sagemont coach Adam Ross said ,“but it’s really a testament to Westminster. They were really great defensively in the fourth quarter in all three games.”
Sagemont took a 42-38 advantage into the final period, butWestminster once again owned the pivotal fourth quarter.