BAKER — A quality win early in the season can help build a foundation for a successful season. If it turns out to be a come-from-behind, overtime win that’s all the better.
Baker School’s boys basketball team notched such a win Monday night against Pensacola Christian Academy.
Baker trailed the Warriors by 13 points with 6:40 left in the fourth quarter.
A 3-point basket by Baker’s Kalee Ciurleo with 10 seconds left in regulation tied the game 72-72.
The overtime period belonged to Austin Walters as he scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the extra period to give the Gators an 88-85 win. Fittingly, Walters scored the game winner with 1.5 seconds left in overtime. Baker fans then held their collective breath their collective breath as the Warriors tried a final frantic shot.
Baker Coach Janavor Weatherspoon called a timeout early in the fourth quarter with the Gators trailing by 13. Rather than plotting some great strategy, Weatherspoon chose to let the players plot their own course.
“At the half (with Baker trailing by 13) I told them they had to come out and find a way to win,” Weatherspoon said. “I called a timeout and didn’t say nothing to them. They had to figure it out.
“I find that is good to do with a group of kids so they can learn how to play and find a way to win.”
The strategy worked as freshman point guard Derek Peoples scored 13 of his 21 points to lead the Gator rally that sent the game into overtime.
The Gators used a stifling press to force Warrior turnovers that allowed Baker to get back in the game.
Much of what Baker did late in the game with the press and pressure defense was the same strategy the Gators used in the first quarter as the teams were tied 13-13 at the end of the opening period.
The Gators actually led 13-9 when Jamaal Day hit a 3-pointer with 1:18 left in the first quarter. At that point the Warriors started working the ball inside to big men Alex Dickerman and Patrick Murphy.
The Gators had a hard time finding an answer to counter the size of the Warriors.
Pensacola Christian went on a 19-2 run to take a 28-15 lead with 3:58 left in the half. The Warriors (1-5) led 41-28 at the half and still held an 11-point lead at the end of the third.
PCA 13 28 14 17 13 — 85
Baker 13 15 16 28 16 — 88
PCA (88)
Micah Johnson 3, Austin Lewis 7, Tyler Henderson 4, Cole Riegsecker12, Elliot Lockett 21, Nathan Middleton 19, Austin Flack 2, Alex Dickerman 15, Patrick Murphy 2. Totals 25 3 26-46 85.
BAKER (88)
Derek Peoples 21, Jamaal Day 12, Hunter Newton 9, Kalee Ciurleo 12, Austin Walters 26, Matt Samuolis 3, Logan Rickmon 2, Bubba Ellis 3. Totals 16 13 17-28 88.
Baker-PCA basketball baox
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker rallies past Pensacola Christian (PHOTOS)