Braysor Martinez's last-second layup caps Forest Hill comeback win over Wellington in district final

WEST PALM BEACH — The Forest Hill boys basketball team scored seven points in the final 70 seconds, capped by Braysor Martinez's game-winning layup with six seconds left, to claim the Class 7A-District 10 title, defeating visiting Wellington 68-67 on Friday.

In the fourth period alone, senior Donovan Draper had 15 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and two assists, and finished with a team-high 26 points on the night. Junior Michael Cooper chipped in 12 points as Forest Hill won its third consecutive district title, second in a row over the Wolverines. 

“We just kept the intensity up the whole entire game,” Draper said. “We kept our heads up, we kept us in the game. Our defense obviously pulled through. We took it to the basket when we were in the double bonus. We’re really excited about this three-peat, and we want to go into regionals and have the same type of games and the same type of wins.”

For Wellington (11-2), Christopher Walker (17), Zayin Humber (16), Brenden Williams (13), and Jordan Johnson (11) all finished with double-digit points in the close loss.

More:Thanks to late free throw, Lake Worth High boys basketball edges Santaluces for district title

Down by one with seconds remaining, Martinez found himself with the ball in his hands off a feed from point guard Jalen Jeter. Martinez drove baseline and finished at the rim for the game-winning basket. 

A last-second heave from Wellington was off mark, as the Falcons (10-2) rushed the court in celebration.

“My senior Donovan came down and told me what we were doing,” Martinez said. “We were pushing the ball. I pushed the ball and gave it to our senior Jalen, he kicked it to the corner. I came in, made the layup, and that was game.”

It was an exhilarating moment that followed a series of clutch plays late from the Falcons, as Jeter and Martinez provided the bulk of the scoring down the stretch.

Jeter converted a Draper steal into two points to cut the deficit to four points, 65-61, with 1:11 remaining. Seconds later, he rose above multiple defenders to knock down a jumper to cut Wellington's lead to two. 

“We were trying to keep a positive attitude,” Forest Hill coach Toby Watson said. “The game was in a situation where it could go either way. We tried to keep the guys calm.

“We knew that somewhere along the line, we were probably going to need a timeout. There was going to probably be a foul. We need to figure out what time to call the timeout, who to foul . . .  there were a thousand questions that needed to be asked, but you only have five seconds.”

With less than 40 seconds remaining and Wellington up one, Martinez was fouled and knocked down one of two free throws to tie the game. The Wolverines drew a foul on their next possession but also could only convert one of two free throws, setting the stage for Martinez's late lay-up.

For Wellington, a comparatively young team who is still meshing their talent and team chemistry, the best play from this group is yet to come, coach Matt Colin believes.

“Just being able to hold out composure when the press is on, the crowd is loud,” Colin said of the goals going forward. “Guys are looking to make a spectacular play as opposed to being composed and running up press break, running the ball around, and putting a cap on the game. And that’s really what we’ve got to get better at.”

As a district finalist, Wellington advances to the state tournament, but will face host Vero Beach in Thursday's regional quarterfinals matchup.  

For Draper and the Falcons, another district title isn’t enough. Forest Hill advanced to the state semifinals last year. The Falcons want to go further this time. First, there's a regional quarterfinal matchup Thursday against visiting Dwyer.

Forest Hill defeated Dwyer 86-64 on Dec. 11, but the Panthers were without several key players, who were playing in a tri-county football playoff game.

“We’re not done yet,” Draper said. “This is a big accomplishment, but we’re on to much better things. We’ll be happy when we get a state ring. That’s it.”

Friday's scores

District championships

Saint Andrew's 78, Jupiter Christian 58 

Martin County 63, Olympic Heights 39

Forest Hill 68, Wellington 67

Lake Worth 60, Santaluces 59

Vero Beach 73, Dwyer 65

Suncoast 55, Jensen Beach 41

Atlantic Christian 66, Berean Christian 34

Glades Central 72, Fort Pierce-Lincoln Park Academy 66 (OT)

Grandview Prep beats Pompano Beach-Highlands Christian, no score provided