Tiger Sharks Down Maclay; Host Region Final Saturday

Tallahassee Maclay got the pace it wanted, but the host Tiger Sharks earned the win.

In a game played like a chess match, Port St. Joe made the final winning moves to forge a thrilling, if not always aesthetically pleasing, 33-31 Region 1-2A semifinal victory.

The victory, which reversed an opening-round loss to Maclay in last year’s postseason, sends Port St. Joe (25-4)to a region final at home against Pensacola Christian at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.

“It wasn’t pretty but we got the win,” said Port St. Joe coach Derek Kurnitsky. “That’s what counts. People can second guess, but we won. That’s the important part.”

Any second-guessing might emerge from a strategic wrinkle the Tiger Sharks tossed into the game after intermission.

Fueled by a 13-2 dominance of the second quarter the Tiger Sharks opened the second half with a 19-12 lead and a surprising offensive tactical move.

They held the ball.

After Maclay’s Tre Ford buried a 3-pointer from the corner with less than 20 seconds gone in the half, Port St. Joe chose to keep the ball outside and try to force the Marauders (21-5) out of their 2-3 zone.

Neither team scored over the next six minutes.

“We talked about it and the kids decided they wanted to do it because we didn’t think they could guard us,” Kurnitsky said. “We made some boneheaded plays, but when we brought them out we beat them to the basket.

“The plan was great, but we did not do what we needed to do. I have the final say, but I had to respect their conviction. We are in this together. Once you jump in you are all in.”

The plan backfired as the Marauders fought back to within 21-19 after the third quarter and knotted things at 25-all with 3:10 left after a six point spurt.

Maclay nosed in front with just under a minute to go and Calvin Pryor (a game-high 12 points) hit two free throws to tie the score.

Rock Quinn followed with the single biggest play of the night, stealing the ball to set up a series of plays that resulted in four-straight free throws from Willie Quinn to put the Tiger Sharks up for good.

“We don’t talk about revenge, but we wanted to erase some demons and we were facing down those demons with 40 seconds to go,” Kurnitsky said. “Rock made a fantastic play.”

Maclay still had one final attempt after pair of Monterius Redding free throws made the score 31-29 and the Marauders forced a turnover with 1.9 seconds to go.

But the final shot was long, the buzzer sounded and the crowd erupted. .

“We did get the tempo we wanted,” said Maclay coach Mike McGrotha.  “I was surprised they pulled the ball out but I am not complaining. Give them credit, they made some big plays near the end and played good defense.

“I think the difference is a couple of times my kids didn’t execute things they would normally do and have done all season. We had a chance to take it into overtime and didn’t get it done.”

TM (31) –Rogers 3 2-2 8, M. Meenan 5 0-0 10, Ford 3 0-0 5, Miller 0 0-0 0, Tackett 1 0-0 3, Redding 0 2-2 2, Bennett 1 1-2 3, Turner 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 5-6 31.

PSJ (33) – Roman Quinn 3 0-0 6, Clemons 3 0-0 6, Smith 2 1-2 5, Willie Quinn 1 2-4 4, Pryor 3 7-10 12. Totals:12 10-16 33.