An 11-0 run helped the Krop High School boys’ basketball team rally to victory
Bringing a combined record of 25-3 into the game, the Krop and Miami Springs high school boys’ basketball teams played just like a pair of quality teams should on Thursday night.
In the end, Krop, which trailed the entire game but never by more than eight, used an 11-0 run in the final three minutes to close out the game and defeat Springs 61-53 at Miami Springs High School.
Armed with a senior-laden team (10 of 13 are seniors) and with most players having been together for three or four years, Krop head coach Chris Garcia knows that the window to try and make a run to the state final four in Lakeland, something Krop has only done once (2010), is in front of him now.
“We’ve got a bunch of kids who have been together for a long time now and know the opportunity that is in front of them,” said Garcia who ran the Krop program from 1997 to 2004 before returning five years ago in a second stint. “They did a good job tonight of hanging in there all game long and putting a run together when it counted the most, at the end of the game. The key was switching up to a zone defense to try and cool their hot shooters off and it worked.”
Led by Juan Rivera, who led all scorers in the game with 21 points, Springs was on fire from outside, burying 10 three-pointers in the game, five from Rivera. But the Hawks (13-3), thanks in part to the Krop defensive switch, went cold after taking a 48-41 lead to the fourth quarter.
Daniel Angel had not scored until his three-pointer from the top of the key with 2:52 left gave Krop (13-1) its first lead of the night, 55-53. Angel then hit two free throws before delivering a three from the corner with 55 seconds left to put his team up by seven and end the issue.
“We just hung in there all game long and tried to say close because we knew we could put a run together,” said senior guard Elijah Sterling who led the Lightning with 20 points while also pulling down eight rebounds. “We’re made for stuff like this and feel like we’ve got a real shot at states and aren’t going to settle for anything less.”
Center Justin Reid, another senior, also enjoyed a big night for Krop as he scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
MORE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
▪ North Miami 76, American 25: Vee’lesk Avin 34 points, 4 steals; Carlos Hart 16 points, 4 steals; Ronaldo Vescine 11 points, 5 assists.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
▪ Palmer Trinity 57, Monsignor Pace 37: PT – Leon 18, Martinez 13, Montes 8, Brand 7, Pedraza 4, Deleon 2, Lahoud 2, Lindsay 1. Half: PT 27-14. 3-pointers: Martinez 3, Pedraza, Leon. Rebouds: Brand 10. Steals: Montes 8. Assists: Montes 5. Blocks: Montes 3. PT: 10-2.
BOYS’ SOCCER
▪ Westminster Christian 6, Florida Christian 1: Christian Goodwin, Daniel Gaviria, Alex Brijbag, Matias Gutierrez, Breno Goncalves and Munir Reyes one goal each. Grant Melgaard and Max Maduro one assist each. Lucas Ruiz goal for FC. WC: 4-4-4.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
▪ St. Brendan 5, Mater Academy 0: Emi Rincon, Emily Regalado, Sophie Gonzalez and Gaby Barrera one goal each. GK Christal Padron shutout. 10-4-1.
