Pahokee’s boys’ basketball team had forgotten what it felt like to lose. Port St. Joe reminded the Blue Devils Monday night.
Port St. Joe, vying for its second state title in three years, ended Pahokee’s 29-game winning streak with a 68-62 victory in the Class 3A semifinals at The Lakeland Center.
The win puts the Tiger Sharks (30-3) opposite Baker in tonight’s 8:05 championship game. Baker defeated Avon Park 50-38
Pahokee (29-2), which hadn’t lost since falling 87-86 to Palm Beach Lakes in its season opener, trailed most of the way against Port St. Joe.
The Blue Devils, who struggled against PSJ’s pressure defense, fell behind 11-3 but eventually tied the score in the second quarter.
The Tiger Sharks opened up some breathing room with an 11-4 run to end the third, making the score 49-42.
PHS got as close as 65-62 on Telly Jackson’s four-point play with 21 seconds to go in the fourth. But Des Baxter followed with a pair of free throws to vanquish Pahokee’s title dreams.
“Port St. Joe is one of the best transition teams we’ve played all year,” Pahokee coach Peter Karas said. “We survived that early stretch but we just never got into our half-court offense.”
Jackson, a 6-4 senior, led PHS his game-best 22-point effort. Kovey Jones added 12.
Chad Quinn led three PSJ players in double figures with 16. Brian Jenkins added 15 and Baxter 10.
“I read in the papers where people thought the game was going to be played in the 80s or 90s,” Port St. Joe coach Vernon Eppinette said. “I didn’t think it would be because both teams play such good defense.
“I thought we played a really good game for the most part”.
PORT ST. JOE (30-3)
PAHOKEE (29-2)
P. St. Joe 18131819-68
Pahokee 13141520-62
