It was the Silver Bracket Championship game of the Rock Classic Basketball Tournament held at North Broward Prep on Saturday January 6th. After both teams North Broward Prep and Spanish River defeated their first round opponents, it was time to battle each other in the Championship game.
The game started quickly for NBP as they took a 9 to 2 point lead over Spanish River. River climbed back into the game to end the 1st quarter down by 3 with NBP leading 14 to 11.
In the second quarter Spanish River took a 19 to 16 point lead over NBP with a 3 pointer from Fabo Boko. It appeared Spanish River would take that lead into halftime, only to see NBP regain the lead with a 3-point play by Mateo Pena as he drove for a scoring layup on which he was fouled and made his free throw.
Game went into halftime North Broward Prep 25 Spanish River 23. It was unclear to determine who had the momentum as both teams had taken and given up the lead after missed shots and turn overs.
The beginning of the third quarter was a continuation from the the 2nd quarter as NPB kept the lead until River tied the game at 30 all. River held the lead for a moment then NBP went on an 8 to 0 run ending the third quarter in their favor 40 to 34.
River returned the favor in the fourth going on a 5 to 0 run of their own to get within 1 point of NBP 40-39 with 3:57 remaining in the 4th. River started coming together in the 4th and took a slight lead late into the 4th led by River’s Malaccai Issa and Jashone Anderson.
Yet emotions took over and cost Spanish River as they received a technical for actions after the whistle. Broward took full advantage of this opportunity and Dom Denny sank both free throws to push NBP further ahead 48 to 41.
After some hard play in the paint River scored and then they themselves were recipients of a technical foul that they took advantage of and moved within 3 points of NBP 48 to 45.
After tying the game at 48 all, River seemed to be in control. Having possession they moved the ball around working the clock only to mishandle and lose the ball with 20.6 seconds on the clock. North Broward took over possession and now they were in control.
With 1.46 seconds remaining NBP Jake Dable drove the lane and was blocked by River’s Tommy Mullins sending him to the line. He was able to hit the first and missed the second shot that was knocked up into the air and recovered by Spanish River.
The Spanish River player quickly called timeout with .5 seconds remaining and quickly drew a technical foul as River had no remaining timeouts. NBP hit both technical shots and won the game
51 to 48 in an emotional heart-breaker for Spanish River.
Leading scorers:
North Broward Prep: Dom Denney 23 points and Tyler Struve 13 points
Spanish River: Jashone Anderson 19 points and Jeremy Hock 8 points
