Lady Patriots fall in opening round
The District 1-5A playoffs didn’t last long for Pace.
Despite playing at Milton High School, the familiar confines weren’t enough as Pace fell to Tate 52-47.
Pace jumped out to an early lead, but it was the third quarter which proved to the be Achilles for the Lady Patriots.
Up by nine at halftime, 33-24, Tate came out in the third quarter and outscored Pace 13-4 as the nine point lead diminished to what would be an eight minute playoff with the winner moving on.
Tate kept its newly found momentum and put the game away by outscoring Pace 15-10.
Shelby Pardy led Pace with 10 points while Taron Bright added 10.
While the girls tournaments got underway, the boys are finishing up some final games to their regular season.
One of the big games was Pace’s double overtime win over Pensacola High Tuesday in Pensacola.
Ross Fruge and Tyler Swanson were the one-two punch needed to put the Tigers out for the count.
Fruge scored 17 points while Tyler Swanson added 12.
Pensacola jumped out to an early three point lead and maintained it for the most part until the final quarter, when the Patriots managed to force overtime.
But one extra period was not enough, they needed two extra periods.
The big footnote in this win is Pace’s usually strong shooting from beyond the arch was not there Tuesday as they managed a one-for-13 effort.
On Monday Pace defeated Washington 56-48.
Pace took control of the game early and survived a big third quarter push to win the game.
After leading by five at intermission, Pace started the fourth quarter down by one, 38-37.
The Patriots managed a 19-10 run to win the game.
Jason Varney was the top scorer for Pace with 18 points while Fruge added 16.
At Gulf Breeze it was the Milton Panthers defeating Gulf Breeze 43-30.
The Panthers reeled in the Dolphins with a 27-9 run in the second and third quarters combined.
Branbdon Allen led the way for Milton with 16 as he was the only scorer to reach double digits for both teams.
Escambia Charter defeated Jay 68-45 despite 18 points from Hunter Boutwell.
Jay took an early 13-10 lead, but Escambia erased that and then some with a 24-8 run in the second quarter.
Conner Weekes chipped in 10 for the Royals in the loss.
Pensacola Christian handed Central a big loss Tuesday 59-42.
PCA had two players in double figures, while Hunter Phillips was the lead scorer for the Jags with 12.
District tournament action for the boys will begin on Tuesday.
