Ponte Vedra Fl- It was pandemonium in Ponte Vedra Friday night as the seconds ticked off the clock in their Class 6A Regional Final against Fleming Island. The students rushed the court in pure elation to celebrate Ponte Vedra’s 60-49 victory over Fleming Island to advance to it’s first Boys Basketball Final in School history.
What head coach Kevin Whirity has done in such a short amount of time is remarkable. Hired in 2019, he now has brought a different brand of basketball from Chicago where is from, to Ponte Vedra. And it shows in every way. Said Whirity after the game, ” what we have is fifteen cats, and when you put them all together, they can take down anybody”.
Ponte Vedra took down a big physical 16-14 Fleming Island (9 losses by forfeit) team with exceptional ball movement and accurate shooting. The sharks hit six 3-pointers in the game, including two by JT Kelly who scored 12 points in the game. They shot 50% from the field led by Luke Pirris 24 points.
It was a very competitive first half as Fleming Island battled back and forth and taking a lead in the second quarter. Antoine Sandy, Demarion Valmyr and Ahman Greenidge used the6’4, 6’7, and 6’5 frames to muscle up points down low. They took advantage of a small ball line up that Ponte Vedra deployed in the first half
Ponte Vedra was able to stave off the onslaught of Fleming Island. Late in the half, the Sharks hit a big 3-point shot by Sam Ritchie to give them a 31-30 lead going into halftime.
The second half saw Ponte Vedra pull away in their typical fashion, shooting and ball movement. Gus Jordheim and Ben Ritchie capitalized off penetration by Nathan Bunkosky by knocking down big shots from the arch. Bunkosky, is not only a leader on the basketball court, but he is one on the football field as well. It showed with his command of the offense and focus on defense.
Another football and basketball athlete is Luke Pirris. The diversity of his athleticism was on full display Friday night. The 6’4 senior scored tough points down low, but complimented that with hitting big shots from the field. Fleming Island attempted to press but Bunkosky and Pirris made them pay by breaking the press and converting on plays.
Now, Ponte Vedra must turn their attention to Lakeland. They will face a 23-7 Winter Haven team in hopes of advancing to the state championship where they will either play Wharton or Martin County in the championship.
