BY GENE NARDI
The Palm Beach Central High School girls varsity basketball team traveled to battle rival Seminole Ridge High School on Thursday, Jan. 10, defeating the Hawks 78-47.
Seminole Ridge may have drawn first blood by scoring immediately at the tip-off, but the Broncos galloped to the lead, which they would not give up for the rest of the game.
Although the contest was close early on, the Palm Beach Central offense constructed a healthy advantage by the end of the first period, leading 25-12.
The Palm Beach Central defense held Seminole Ridge to just 5 points in the second quarter and closed out the half with a commanding lead, 43-17. Despite several turnovers in the second half by the Hawks — they managed to put 30 points on the board — it was not enough to thwart the relentless Bronco offense, which put up 35 second-half points, earning the decisive victory, 78-47.
Top performers for Palm Beach Central were sophomore Jasmyne Martin with 21 points, and senior Kensha’Dra Smith, who scored 19 points and shot three 3-pointers. For the Hawks, Junior Kaitlin O’Hara scored 16 points and two 3-pointers. Senior Kelli Lees also put up two 3-pointers, and sophomore Jessica Cody is credited with 10 points.
Palm Beach Central hosted William T. Dwyer on Monday, losing 65-54. The Broncos traveled to Wellington to face the Wolverines on Thursday, but the score was unavailable at press time. Seminole Ridge hosted Boca Raton on Monday, falling to the Bobcats 64-48. The Hawks traveled to Village Academy on Wednesday and hosted Santaluces on Thursday, but results were not available at press time.
Above: Bronco Jasmyne Martin moves in for a score.
