HIGH-SCHOOL

Auburndale pulls away from Lake Wales for 5A-7 title

By Ivan Lambert

Ledger correspondent

Auburndale's Nehemiah Turner (15) goes up for a basket as Lake Wales' Dwayne Harris (5) tries to defend on Friday night during the Class 5A, District 7 boys basketball tournament at at Auburndale High School.

AUBURNDALE — Auburndale broke open a tied game with an 11-point run in the third quarter and ran away from Lake Wales for a 79-55 victory on Friday night in the Class 5A, District 7 boys basketball championship game at Tracy McGrady Gymnasium.

Donald Gatlin’s fast-break layup for Lake Wales, tied the score 35-35 with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Auburndale’s 6-foot-8 sophomore Nehemiah Turner answered with a post-up three-point play. Two Lake Wales technical fouls followed in the next 90 seconds, and the Bloodhounds made all four free throws during an 11-0 run as Auburndale stretched its lead to 46-35.

Leading 51-45 to start the final quarter, the Bloodhounds, led by Jerrod Johnson’s seven points in the quarter, outscored the Highlanders 28-10 to put the game away.

Turner finished with 20 points, Diego Platas-Ivan contributed 19 points and Kervin Knaggs had 10 to lead Auburndale.

Lake Wales' Sevastian Rosado (1) goes up for as basket as Auburndale's Kervin Knaggs (2) blocks the shot on Friday night during the Class 5A, District 7 boys basketball tournament at Auburndale High School.

“We gave up a lot of open shots early,” Auburndale head coach Eric Robinson said. “In the second half, we moved back into our half-court defense and played much more solid defense, rebounded the ball well and fed our big men inside. Our big guys can score, they are not just big guys. They really came through for us in the second half.”

With the score tied 24-24 late in the second quarter, Auburndale got three baskets in the paint from Turner, going on a 9-0 run to close the half leading 33-24.

Lake Wales was led by Sevastian Rosado with 14 points, Jaden Excell contributed 13 and Gatlin 11.