FREEPORT — An up and coming Baker School boys basketball team met Class 1A power Chipley in the District 3-1A tournament championship game Friday night in the Freeport High School gym.
The outcome of the game was what most people probably expected, the Tiger won going away 85-62 behind the play of senior Florida State signee Trent Forrest.
Forrest led a all scorers with 30 points and showed that he is more than just a scoring threat hitting teammates with precision passes to lead to open baskets.
But it the Gators (16-7) had their moments too.
Down by 17 with five minutes left in the half Baker rallied behind the sharp shooting of senior Austin Walters and the inside play of eighth grade point guard Junior McLaughlin.
A 3-pointer by Walters with 2:27 left in the half cut capped a 12-1 Gator run and pulled the Gators to within six points of the Tigers.
Baker never got any closer as Chipley closed out the half with a 9-0 run to take control of the game.
In the end the Tigers had too much experience and fire power.
“We had a good game plan, but we just didn’t execute it,” second-year Baker coach Janavor Weatherspoon said. “ But it says something that we are back in the playoffs.
“We are young and we will learn from this and get better.”
Forrest was joined in double figures by Adrian Sims and Justin Campbell, who each scored 17.
Gator freshman Derek Peoples score 11 points in the fourth quarter to match Walters with high-point honors for the Gators. McLaughlin chipped in 14.
Baker opens the playoffs Thursday on the road against the District 4-1A champions.
CHIPLEY 85, BAKER 62
Baker 16 14 19 13 – 62
Chipley 28 17 26 14 – 85
BAKER (62)
Derek Peoples 17, Kalee Ciurleo 9, Austin Walters 17, Junior McLaughlin 14, Matt Samuolis 3, Jalen Ciurleo 2. Totals 15 7 11-22 62.
CHIPLEY (85)
Adrian Sims 17, Chad Carmichael 4, Justin Campbell 17, Trey Thurman 3, Daniel Floyd 4, Trent Forrest 33, Elijah Staten 3, Grant Rowell 3, Brian Williams 1. Totals 29 5 12-23 85.
Baker-Chipley boys basketball box
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker falls to Chipley in district final (PHOTOS)