Nov. 21-23 high school scores: Martin County kicks off state title defense with win

Monday's scores

Boys Basketball

Martin County 72, Fort Pierce Central 54: Elijah Duval scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Brandon Brazell added 14 points as the defending 6A state champions began their season with a victory at home.

The Tigers flew out of the gates leading 14-4 in the first quarter before leading 17-12 after the first eight minutes on the strength of three made 3-pointers.

Fort Pierce Central ripped off a 9-0 run to start the second quarter and thanks to 13 made free throws for the half held a 29-25 halftime advantage led by eight points from Joshua Williams.

Two 3-pointers from South Fork transfers Noah Josie in the third quarter helped Martin County go into the final eight minutes with a 45-44 lead.

Duval, one of the top juniors in the country and Brazell, a freshman forward, helped the Tigers begin the fourth quarter with 12 straight points to blow the game open and for the quarter, the duo netted 18 of Martin County’s 27 points.

10 different Tigers scored on the night as the program replaced four senior starters from last year’s state title team.

Williams led Fort Pierce Central with 15 points, Joesph Gayle added 13 points and Josh Banate chipped in 11 points for the Cobras.

Okeechobee 65, Vero Beach 63 (OT): Bryce Ward scored 12 points and his layup with 2.7 seconds to go in overtime sent the Brahmans (1-0) to a win at the Heritage Thanksgiving Tournament in Palm Bay.

Charlie Van Eman’s steal and pass ahead to Braydon Reynolds set up Reynolds to throw to Ward for the go-ahead basket.

Oliver Saunders led Okeechobee with 22 points, Luke Bryan added 12 points and Van Eman chipped in 10.

Eddrick Willis scored a game-high 29 points for Vero Beach, who led by as many as 11 in the fourth quarter. Jaylen Shelley added 14 points and Derrick Davey scored 13 points for Vero.

South Fork 57, Satellite 44: Imarion Stanberry scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds and Justin Beall added 11 points to lead the Bulldogs (1-0) to a win in its season opener. Nick Chang added nine points and eight steals for South Fork.

Morningside Academy 69, Master's Academy 23: Damon Folds scored 22 points and added 12 assists and six rebounds in the season opener for the Eagles (1-0). Jaden Franklin scored 16 points and added seven rebounds and Darious Moore made five 3-pointers for all 15 of his points for Morningside.

Tuesday's scores

Boys Basketball

Centennial 77, Osceola 61: Joesph Lezeau II scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the Eagles (1-0) to a road win in their season opener. Zach Brown added 15 points and eight rebounds, Ty Owens scored 12 points and added six assists and Antawn Smith Jr. also scored 12 points in the victory for Centennial.

South Fork 47, Jupiter 42: Justin Beall scored 16 points to lift the Bulldogs (2-0) to victory. Nick Chang added nine points and Loghan Downie chipped in seven points for South Fork.

Morningside Academy 49, Greenacres Christian 48: Damon Folds scored 26 points and added seven rebounds, six assists and four steals in the win for the Eagles (2-0). Darious Moore added 19 points and six assists for Morningside.

Pine School 71, Melbourne Central Catholic 42: Four players scored in double figures to lead the Knights (1-0) to a season-opening win.

Bryan Cooney is a high school sports reporter at TCPalm, part of the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at bcooney@gannett.com and also on Twitter at @Bryan_Cooney.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: High school scores for Nov. 21-23 across the Treasure Coast