Top Performers: Cambridge Christian vs. Clearwater Central Catholic
With 14.7 seconds left, Clearwater Central Catholic forward Kennedy Roberts earned a perfect pass inside from Jerjuan Newton. He then laid it in to put the Marauders ahead 59-57.
That bucket, Roberts’ only on Tuesday night proved to be the winning one in a 63-60 victory over Cambridge Christian.
Clearwater Central Catholic trailed the entire game until 4:25 left in the game when it tied it up at 49 apiece and then took a 51-49 lead.
The Marauders ended the game on an 8-3 run over the final minute of play.
Here are the top performances.
Jerjuan Newton (Clearwater Central Catholic)
A pure athlete and slasher type, junior guard Jerjuan Newton finished with 15 points. He was clutch from the free throw line, knocking down nine free throws in the second half alone. In the game, he was 9-of-12 from the line. Newton is the main ballhandler for this group.
Daryl Mercer Jr. (Cambridge Christian)
It was quite the performance for senior guard Daryl Mercer Jr. He ended the night with a game-high 26 points which included four 3’s, the final one coming with 2.5 seconds left to trim the deficit to one point. Warner University coaches talked with Mercer after the game. He’s a highly underrated athlete who has a bright basketball mind.
Johnny Newton (Clearwater Central Catholic)
The younger Newton brother, Johnny actually ended the evening with team-best 17 points. Impressively, 15 of those points came in the second half as he attacked the glass with his strength. A football player first and foremost, Newton has plenty of talent to be a factor on the basketball court. It showed in this one.
Zavion Campbell (Cambridge Christian)
It was a fast start for Zavion Campbell as he scored eight first quarter points. The junior forward finished with 13 points overall. He has good skills near the rim. After the opening quarter, Clearwater Central Catholic made it a point to keep him out of most offensive possessions.
Nicholas Amaro/Ronnie Williams (Clearwater Central Catholic)
Between Nicholas Amaro and Ronnie Williams, the Marauders duo combined for 20 points. Amaro, a senior forward had an incredible second quarter knocking down a trio of 3’s as he added 11 points overall. Williams, a sophomore forward had some bright moments with nine points and proved that he is going to be a sound player in time.
Levondre Carter/Mark Murray (Cambridge Christian)
Levondre Carter and Mark Murray compiled 16 points together. Carter, a sophomore forward served as a nice piece inside with eight points. Murray, a junior guard added all of his eight points in the second quarter which included two 3’s.