Hoboes fall short to clock in District 1A championship

Robert Young

Florida Freedom Newspapers

LAUREL HILL--

Bobcat Shaquille Jackson made both of his free throws with three seconds left to seal the deal.

Coach Jeff Bradley knew the team was on its way to meet District 2 runner-up Malone on Thursday in the regional tournament.

Paxton won the District 1A championship against the Hoboes, 49-45.

This is the first time in four years the team has made it past the district tournament as champions.

"It's an incredible feeling," Bradley said.

"We couldn't match Laurel Hill's intensity after the half, but we lucked out in the fourth quarter. Now we have a championship to bring home. God has blessed us tonight."

Even with a constant rally by the Hoboes, it just wasn't enough for an unselfish Paxton team.

"We had to pass the ball," Bradley said.

"We moved the ball and they chased it. The ball had to move all the time. It was only thing we could do against their defense. They (Laurel Hill) played great tonight."

Coach Ronnie Smith explained his view of the loss.

"It's hard to come back from all this," Smith said.

Reese, Sledge, Smith and the boys did the best they could."

Hoboe's Zack Sledge and Jeffrey Reese started things off with back-to-back layups.

Jackson quickly answered back with a pair of 2-point baskets for Paxton.

The Bobcats led the first quarter 16-7.

Out rebounded in the second quarter, Laurel Hill's Seth Strickland stuck to the outside with two 3-pointers.

A pumped Paxton team kept the ball moving to offset the Hoboes' defense for the rest of the quarter.

Laurel Hill left the half, 30-23.

The Hoboes started its rally as Jace Smith and Reese both made 2-point shots to tie the game at 36.

Paxton (25-2) took hold of the game for two minutes after a free throw by Blake Zessin.

Hobo Richard Dixon put two points on the board before the buzzer to lead the quarter 39-37.

Paxton's Jackson and Zessin took the game back with two consecutive layups.

Reese led all scorers with 17 points.

Zessin had 13 points and Zoucherin Vickers had 10 points for the Bobcats.

Laurel Hill (19-7) travels to Graceville on Thursday in its regional matchup.

Paxton 16 14 7 12 49

Laurel Hill 7 16 16 6 45

PAXTON (49)

Blake Zessin 13, Chaze Russell 3, Colby Forehand 7, Zoucherin Vikcers 10, Jackson 8, Demetrius Moore 7, Josh Young 1.

Totals: 11 9 8-13 49

LAUREL HILL (45)

Jeffrey Reese 17, Richard Dixon 6, Zack Sledge 6, Will Sherwood 5, Jace Smith 4, Seth Strickland 7.

Totals: 13 11 6-12 45.

Ann Spann/Crestview News Bulletin