Jupiter holds off Park Vista rally
Center Hain sparks 10-2 fourth-quarter burst to secure win.
Jupiter kept its season alive Thursday night with a 73-64 victory over Park Vista in a Class 8A boys basketball regional quarterfinal in Boynton Beach.
The Warriors (15-11), who defeated the Cobras (18-9) in the season opener, started hot Thursday, making its first five shots, including four 3-pointers to grab a 14-1 lead just two minutes into the game.
“I told the guys that Park Vista would be emotional,” Jupiter coach John Andersen said. “I told them that they have to get through that and stick to the game plan and luckily we had a great start to the game that calmed everything down for us.”
Utilizing a full-court press, Park Vista slowly climbed back into the game and trailed by just 32-28 at halftime.
After two steals and layups by guard Mike Cuva — who finished with a team-high 23 points — Jupiter extended its lead to 15 in the second half.
Park Vista, however, scored the final seven points of the third quarter to trail 53-45 entering the fourth.
“It was a game of runs,” Anderson said. “A team like that, they can score in bunches and when we’re shooting well, we can, too.”
Park Vista got to within 55-53 two minutes into the fourth quarter, but a couple of tip-ins by center Cole Hain sent Jupiter on a 10-2 run.
A Kamil Williams 3-pointer brought Park Vista within seven, but on the Cobras’ next possession, Williams drove inside and was called for an offensive foul that left Hain with a bloody nose and gave the Warriors the ball back with 53 seconds remaining.
“Cole stepped up. He had a couple of layups, some tip-ins and rebounds off the bench and when you’re in the postseason, someone new has to step up every night,” Andersen said.
Williams scored 34 points for Vista, including 19 in the second half. CLASS 7A
Pompano Beach-Ely 79, Lake Worth 71: The Trojans fell to the nationally ranked Tigers in Pompano Beach.
Martin County 74, Punta Gorda-Charlotte 68: The Tigers held off the Tarpons in Punta Gorda and advance to play at Melbourne in Tuesday’s regional semifinals. CLASS 5A
Fort Lauderdale-Dillard 69, Suncoast 53: Marvin Leveille scored 13 points and Christoff Nairn and LaTarence Butts each added 12 points, but the host Chargers fell to the Panthers. CLASS 4A
Cardinal Newman 74, Hollywood-Chaminade 61: John Collins had 27 points and seven rebounds, and Scott Perry added 21 points and seven rebounds as the Crusaders (24-1) defeated the Lions in the regional quarterfinals in West Palm Beach. Newman advances to face Coral Springs Charter in Tuesday’s regional semifinals.
Coral Springs Charter 66, St. Andrew’s 53: Anthony Polite scored 26 points, but the Scots (188) fell to the Panthers in Coral Springs. CLASS 3A
Oxbridge Academy 50, Melbourne Central Catholic 38: Keidron Smith scored 17 points and Marleon Watson added 11 as the Thunderwolves stopped the Hustlers in West Palm Beach. Oxbridge advances to host Melbourne-Florida Air Academy — which routed Lake Worth Christian 79-43 — in Tuesday’s regional semifinals. CLASS 2A
Atlantic Christian 77, Merritt Island Christian 27: Dijoun Farquharson scored 28 points and Aaron Carey added 17 as the Saints (23-4) rolled over the Cougars in a regional quarterfinal in West Palm Beach. Atlantic Christian will host Vero Beach-Master’s Academy — which held off Berean Christian 4037 — in Tuesday’s regional semifinals.