WEST PALM BEACH – Just when it seemed that Wellington would wrap up the Class 7A-District 10 title, Forest Hill had other plans.
Down 65-55 with just 2:25 left in the game, Wellington’s Will Van Hook powered his way for a driving layup that forced Forest Hill to regroup quickly.
Though time was slipping away from the defending district champs, the Falcons (10-2) dug deep and quietly began their stunning comeback effort against the Wolverines (11-2).
Led by senior Donovan Draper (game-high 26 points), Forest Hill began chipping away by using their experience to get timely shots in the stretch, resulting in an 8-0 run that cut Wellington’s lead to 65-63 at the 1:02 mark.
Draper scored most of those points in the pivotal run. But the best part was when he got his team in position for fellow senior Jalen Jeter to hit a jumper that sent the Falcons into a frenzy.
And after Draper’s and-1 bucket sent him to the line for a chance to tie it up at 66-66 with 39 seconds left, the scene shifted to junior guard Brayser Martinez, who would have a short stretch to remember.
Martinez was the one who tied the game up at 66-all with 12 seconds left, going 1-for-2 on the free throw line. And after Wolverines junior Zayin Humber was promptly fouled, going 1-for-2 on the line to give his team a 67-66 lead, Martinez put himself in position for victory.
With about six seconds left, Martinez took a pass from Jeter and pump faked at the three-point line to drive in for a clutch layup.
The Martinez shot sealed Forest Hill’s 68-67 win over Wellington, which ended with a stunning 13-2 run in the closing stretch.
“My man Donovan came down with the ball and kicked it to [Jalen] Jeter, who kicked it back to me at the corner,” said Martinez, who scored all five of his points in the fourth quarter. “I drove and I came through with the layup. That was it.”
Martinez spoke on how Forest Hill pulled it together down the stretch to win the program’s third straight district title.
“We stick together as a team, especially in late game situations,” Martinez said. “We’re conditioned for this.”
Jeter (eight points) provided his insight on how Forest Hill pulled off the stunning win at home.
“It took composure and not giving up as a team,” Jeter said. “Knowing that we never lost at home, we weren’t going to let that happen.”
Jeter proudly spoke of Martinez and how he came through in the final seconds.
“That’s one player I know who gives 200 percent in practice,” Jeter said. “Everything he does, he wants to be first. I know he looks up to me because when I’m gone, he’s the one that is going to fill my role. He came through in the clutch big time, and I’m proud of him for that.”
Forest Hill head coach Tony Watson was proud of his team’s overall effort in the final minutes.
“The guys really kept their composure and confidence,” Watson said. “It was a rally call by the team. Everybody hung in there. With us playing tough games on the road this season, I think that’s what kept us together.”
Jeter said this was the best ending he has been a part of at Forest Hill.
“Out of the four years I have been here, this has to be the most exciting and intense game I have played in,” Jeter said. “It came down to the bitter end…the last shot, the last possession, who wanted it more. I think we did.”
SIDE NOTE: The next game for Forest Hill will be on Thursday, Feb. 18, when it will host Dwyer (10-3; District 9-7A runner-up) in the Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinals.
“They gotta come to us,” Jeter said. “We just gotta play Forest Hill basketball. They’re gonna have to play our game. We’re not gonna play their game.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Chet Peterman
