Lakeland Fl- The Ponte Vedra Sharks are heading back to the Boys Class 5A State Championship after an absolute thriller against Leesburg. In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats Wednesday, the Sharks pulled out a 54-47 victory in triple overtime, proving their toughness when it mattered most.
The first overtime was a defensive showdown, with neither team able to put a single point on the board. It was a battle of nerves, as both teams struggled to find an opening. The second overtime wasn’t much different, with each team managing just three points, keeping the score tied and the tension high. But in the third overtime, Ponte Vedra finally broke through. The Sharks caught fire, outscoring Leesburg 8-1 to seal the win and punch their ticket to the championship.
We're headed to Overtime #3!! Tied 46-46 Ponte Vedra hit a big 3-pointer to tie the game with 15 seconds left vs Leesburg in the Class 5A Final 4 pic.twitter.com/8yHZT6tAWA
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 5, 2025
Leading the way for Ponte Vedra was Maddox Palmer, who finished with 18 points. The 6-foot-5 senior has been a steady force for the Sharks all season, averaging 13.3 points per game. Right behind him was 2025 point guard David Sanchez Barrera, who chipped in 13 points. The 6-foot-8 forward Trace Westercamp and Ryan Speace each added 10 points, giving the Sharks a well-rounded scoring attack.
41-37 Ponte Vedra leads Leesburg late 4th pic.twitter.com/XkAiPN9CTp
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 5, 2025
Ponte Vedra showed their experience, battling back and forth in a game that saw them lead and trail throughout. The team never lost faith, and head coach Ben Wilson’s leadership and poise pushed them through adversity. Westercamp hit two 3-pointers, while Speace and Alex Katsikas hit another. Ponte Vedra is tall and can shoot. If their shots are falling they can win any matchup, which they proved against Leesburg, and Elite 8 team from a year ago.
Leesburg, which finishes the season with a 17-8 record, fought hard but couldn’t keep up in the final overtime. Angelo Moton scored 16 for the Jackets, while Xavier Campbell chipped in 10 points in defeat. The loss ends their playoff run, while Ponte Vedra (22-8) now sets its sights on the ultimate prize.
54-47 Ponte Vedra defeats Leesburg in 3OT to advance to the Class 5A State Championship! pic.twitter.com/OwuExjoYuN
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) March 5, 2025
Up next, the Sharks will face Blanche Ely (19-9) in the Class 5A State Championship. Blanche Ely defeated Pembroke Pines Charter 59-56 to advance to the Final 4. There they defeated St. Petersburg 67-45. For Blanche Ely 6’8″ Kaleb Corbitt had 12pts, 10reb, 2blks. Then 6’5″ Jayelen Jonas had 11pts, 2stls, and Dylon Hanna 4 steals in their victory.
They boast a tall and talented squad, led by Hanna, who averages 16.4 points per game. Jayden McNabb (10.0 ppg) and Jonas (11.5 ppg) also provide plenty of scoring power, setting up what should be an intense showdown. Head Coach Jr Mcnabb is looking to add another to the school’s rich history. Blanche Ely High defeated St. Petersburg High School 84-70 in 2016, winning the Class 7A state title for a second consecutive year. The victory gave the school its sixth boys basketball state championship. That team was led by Coach Melvin Randall.
This will be Ponte Vedra’s third trip to the state championship game in four years, and they’re hoping to finally bring home the title. After falling to Dwyer in the 2022-2023 final, before that they fell to Martin County 53-49 in the 2021-2022 season final. The Sharks are hoping the third time is the charm. If their triple-overtime performance against Leesburg is any indication, the Sharks are ready to battle to the very end.
Can Ponte Vedra make history and capture the state championship? The Sharks have one more game to finally capture the most coveted crown.
