WEST PALM BEACH – The premiere matchup between Palm Beach Lakes and crosstown rival Forest Hill didn’t disappoint.
A good crowd was on hand for the matchup despite today’s 3:30 p.m. start. This move was made by the school administration and school police due to recent incidents in the community that could be deemed a security risk with a late start.
It was a battle of undefeated teams, with Lakes coming in at 9-0 and Forest Hill coming in with a 15-0 record. Both have had this game circled on their respective calendars since the beginning of this season.
Forest Hill led for a good portion of the first quarter until Palm Beach Lakes had an offensive surge late in the first to take the momentum and lead.
Palm Beach Lakes went into the second quarter with a 28-21 advantage over Forest Hill.
The Rams offense kept pace in the second quarter and held a 32-28 lead midway through it. Giancarlo Rosado was a matchup nightmare as he dominated in the paint, scoring 13 points in the first half.
Tylor Miller added great minutes for the Falcons. He was the spark Forest Hill desperately needed heading into halftime.
Forest Hill’s D’ante Daniels led all scorers with 14 points at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, Forest Hill took the lead for the first time since the first quarter. The moment came on a dunk by Jordan Brown, and it was followed by Daniels with a corner three shot to go up 48-45.
Palm Beach Lakes standout Sheldon Edwards hit a deep three to tie the game at 48-48 with two minutes left in the third.
Eldridge Franklin knocked down a three which shifted momentum to Lakes. But it would be relinquished on a buzzer-beating layup by Elliot Denson to tie the game at 54-all going into the fourth quarter.
Edwards would show up late in the fourth with a huge three to give Lakes a four-point lead. But Forest Hill would answer right back with a three from Jalen Jeter to make it a one point game at 72-71 with a little under two minutes left in the game.
Palm Beach Lakes came back to take a 76-73 lead with under a minute left. But Miller would get to the free throw line with 9.7 seconds left in the game and go 1-for-2, while Torrin Andrews would get the rebound and miraculously score to make it 76-76 with 7.6 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Andrews continued his offensive charge in overtime opening with an and-one layup to put Falcons up by three.
Nickevius Whittick knocked down a deep three and tough layup midway through overtime to give Forest Hill a 84-76 lead. Andrews would follow his act with free throws, which would put Forest Hill up 86-78.
Late free throws, tough defense, and effective clock management gave Forest Hill a late lead to effectively win, 93-85. Forest Hill improves its record to 16-0, while Lakes suffered its first loss of the season by dropping to 9-1.
TOP PERFORMERS
Palm Beach Lakes: Rosado with 27 points, Edwards with 23 points
Forest Hill: Daniels and Miller with 20 points apiece, Andrews with 18 points
GAME NOTES
Palm Beach Lakes is a high energy team. The basketball team is basically the football team, funny enough.
Rosado was a difference maker today, as he posed a threat Forest Hill hasn’t seen most of the season with his size and ability to score.
The Lakes defense has some quick hands, as they racked up multiple steals against Forest Hill. Lakes isn’t a team to be slept on as it can play with anybody in the county.
Remember this: Lakes took Forest Hill down to the wire.
Forest Hill made a few uncharacteristic mistakes and quite a few free throws.
The Falcons proved themselves to be a second half team. The energy this Falcons team played with in the second half is unparalleled, and it was evident tonight as they pulled off the late victory to steal one on the road.
Whittick made a name for himself tonight with his late game heroics, which speaks to the Falcons depth.
