Lakeland FL- It wasn’t the outcome Ponte Vedra envisioned after going 27-3 all the way to it’s first ever state championship appearance. However, it was a strong effort and performance that went down to the last second in the FHSAA Class 6A Championship game. Trailing by three points, with just under thirty seconds remaining in the game, Ponte Vedra had several opportunities to tie the game or pull within one point. Yet those shots fell short as Martin County (27-4) hit free throws by guards Cam Insalaco and Ryan Davis to ice the victory 53-49.
Ponte Vedra faced a team that it matched up well against size wise, as Luke Pirris had a decisive advantage in the paint against the smaller Martin County club. The talented two way player showed early on that he would be a problem, scoring down low.
Ross Candelino also set the tone for the Sharks, hitting the first points of the game. He knocked down big shots when his number was called and went 7 of 8 from the free throw line. Candelino finished tied with a game high 16 points in the game.
After the first quarter, Ponte Vedra tied it up thanks to a nice pull up by J.T Kelly. Kelly finished with 8 points in the contest and gave his team a big boost at the end of quarter.
Yet Martin County found a way to attack Ponte Vedra, and it was through their guard play. Insalaco routinely slashed to the basket making layups or dishing it to the open man. He would finish tied with a game high 16 points as well.
Sam Ritchie kept his team close though, scrambling for loose balls and making plays in transition for points. Pressure and stamina were advantages that Ponte Vedra had over Martin County. But the question was, would they be able to deploy that strategy for an entire half in order to get back into the game?
Martin County built a lead going into halftime thanks to buckets by Braydin Samuels (12 points) and Jack Pierrelus. Davis also was instrumental in controlling the tempo brining the ball up court at times.
In the second half, Ponte Vedra mounted a furious comeback chipping away at the 26-19 Martin County halftime lead. Trailing by as much as 10 points in the second half, Ponte Vedra went on the offensive. Candelino as well as Nathan Bunkosky (10 points) hit big shots. Pirris began to go to work down low. He took advantage of the smaller post players by scoring layups. He also drew fouls and converted free throws to cut it to a 4 point game.
Although Martin County missed several shots that were going in during the first half, they found a way to close out the game on the defensive end. They hit their free throws while forcing difficult shots by Ponte Vedra as time expired. Giving Martin County and the Treasure Coast area it’s first championship in 39 years.
Ponte Vedra Head Coach Kevin Whirity told his team after the game ” hold your heads up, you have nothing to be ashamed of”. His word’s couldn’t have been more accurate. Whirity in just his third season at the helm contributed his team’s success to their toughness. “I talked to the team about the man in the arena by Theodore Roosevelt, and how the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena” said Whirity. He and his team certainly deserve that credit as State Runners Up in 6A.
