BY GENE NARDI
The Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity basketball squad hosted rival Jupiter High School on Friday, Dec. 12 and held on to defeat the Warriors 64-56.
Out of the gate, the Hawks took a commanding 20-6 lead, giving Jupiter little time to put together any kind of counterattack with just under two minutes remaining in the first period. Jupiter did manage to find a brief rhythm to put up nine points and close the gap, finishing out the period down 20-15.
The Hawks twice had a 15-point lead, but by the end of the second period, Seminole Ridge was able to sustain its offense to maintain a nine-point lead, closing the half 34-25.
During the second half, Jupiter seemed to pressure a Hawk defense that at times would bend but not break. The Hawks came up big offensively when needed to maintain the lead they held throughout the contest.
At the end of the third period, Jupiter rallied to come within six points 49-43, but it was too little and too late for the Warriors. Jupiter’s offense could not go toe-to-toe with the powerful Hawk offense, as Seminole Ridge relied on quick counterattacks off of rebounds, which proved costly for the Warriors.
Seminole Ridge finished strong with 15 points in the fourth period, and held Jupiter to just 13 point to hold on for the 64-56 victory.
Jihadu Brunner-Brown put up 26 points and one three-pointer for the Hawks. Jackson Yohn and Jonathan McPhee each had a three-pointer.
The Hawks are 5-4 on the season. They next play at Palm Beach Gardens High School on Friday, Dec. 19.
ABOVE: Hawk guard Jihadu Brunner-Brown goes up for a shot.
