BY GENE NARDI
The Palm Beach Central High School girls basketball team hosted rival Seminole Ridge High School on Thursday, Dec. 1 and defeated the Hawks 69-27.
The Broncos (3-4) jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the first period. Alana Anderson dropped in a three-point goal that forced the Hawks (4-4) to call a time-out to regroup. Seminole Ridge battled back through several turnovers to put a few points on the board, but Palm Beach Central closed the first period with a commanding 19-6 lead.
Early in the second period, both teams traded three-pointers, with Seminole Ridge’s Isabella Martinez sinking hers first to give her team some momentum, but Anderson immediately responded with her second for the Broncos to maintain a large margin, 24-12.
Palm Beach Central continued to roll through the first half, with a 20-point lead 35-15. The Broncos continued to take advantage of the Hawk turnovers and grab most of the rebounds under the boards.
By the end of the third period, the Broncos managed a 30-point lead, 55-25. The Palm Beach Central defense was relentless, holding the Hawks to just 10 points in the third period. Shelby Gard also sank a three-pointer during the period. The Hawks were not without opportunity, but they could not maintain possession under the board and find the net.
The Broncos extended the lead to 67-27 in the fourth period when Gard dropped in her second three-pointer on the night. Things did not improve for the Hawks in the final period. The Palm Beach Central defense stifled the Hawks offense to just a single basket to close out the 69-27 win.
The Broncos were more aggressive under the boards and were more accurate with their shots. Turnovers were the difference for the Hawks not being able to close the margin throughout the contest.
Anderson led in scoring for the Broncos with 13 points, Jordia Jones put up 12 points, and Naija Woodie had 10 points. Both Gard and Anderson had two three-pointers. Aneeshea Cason led the Hawks in scoring with eight points, and Martinez had seven points, including the three-pointer.
The Broncos improved their record to 3-4 on the season, while Seminole Ridge fell to 4-4. The Broncos had games against John I. Leonard, Jupiter and Park Vista high schools this week, but results were not available by press time.
ABOVE: Jayda Powell scores on a layup for the Broncos as she powers through the Hawk defense.
