Wave bounces Tritons 63-55

MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner’s Ricardo Barsesa stands his ground to block Fort Myers’ Will White. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
After struggling to compete with the top teams in District 5A-15 last season, the Mariner Tritons gave a spirited effort Tuesday night against defending champion Fort Myers.
The host Tritons, who lost to the Green Wave by scores of 58-15 and 68-44 last season, fought back from a 13-point deficit early in the third quarter Tuesday night, took the lead briefly, and trailed only 58-55 with 3:14 left in the fourth.
They were unable to come up with the key baskets late, though, in a 63-55 loss.
“I don’t believe in moral victories, but this was a big learning step for us,” Mariner coach James Harris said. “We were down one possession with three minutes to go and we didn’t score the rest of the game.”
With the Green Wave (2-0, 1-0) holding strong defensively, the Tritons (1-3, 0-1) missed their final seven field goals. It was a fitting end to a game defined by intense, pressure defense.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner’s Kameron Beach drives the lane between Fort Myers’ Tonio Brindley (24) and Tyler Manning (23) Tuesday night.
The Wave were led by 6-foot-11 senior Josh Nicholas, who scored seven points, but had more of an impact with 15 rebounds and eight blocks.
Though the Wave went undefeated in district play last season, they are searching for new leadership given the losses of seniors Jean Louisme and David Westberry.
Sophomore Evin Graham scored 12 points, senior John Michael-Hodge had 11 and junior Colin Henry added 10.
“We needed a game like this in a tough environment,” Green Wave coach Scott Guttery said. “We’re still trying to find out who our leaders are, who is going to step up and make buckets at the end of the game.”
Both teams were tight early. They combined to make just one of the first 15 shots in the first quarter.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner senior Josh Bello (20) guards Terran McClendon of Fort Myers after an offensive rebound Tuesday night. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
Junior Kameron Beach made the first field goal for the Tritons, a three-pointer with 2:31 left in the first quarter, tying it 5-5.
The Green Wave closed the quarter on an 11-2 run, stretching it to 16-7.
Beach scored 12 of his game-high 25 points in the second quarter. His third three-pointer made the deficit 22-19, but the Wave closed the half on another run, stretching it to 33-24.
Just when it appeared the Wave might pull away, leading 37-24 early in the third quarter, the Tritons charged back on a 22-10 run. A three-pointer by Harrison Kuchman put the Tritons ahead 46-45 and a basket by Justin Emmons gave them a 48-47 edge with seven minutes remaining.
The margin remained within three points, but a pivotal play came with 2:34 left. After getting double teamed, Nicholas turned and found Graham for a layup, giving the Green Wave a 60-55 lead.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner senior Thaddeus Longsworth (11) slips past Evin Graham (15) of Fort Myers for a layup in a District 5A-15 game Tuesday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape- coral-daily-breeze.com.
Fort Myers 16 17 14 16 – 63
Mariner 7 17 22 9 – 55
Fort Myers (63) – Graham 12, Yance 3, Hodge 11, Henry 10, McClendon 9, Nicholas 7, Manning 8, White 3. Totals: 22-55 16-27 63. 3-point goals: Graham 1, Yance 1, Hodge 1.
Mariner (55) – Longsworth 1, Johnson 10, Beach 25, Rivera 2, Patton 6, Barsesa 5, Emmons 2, Kuchman 4. Totals: 17-56 16-25 55. 3-point goals: Beach 3, Kuchman 1, Patton 1.
- MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner’s Kameron Beach drives the lane between Fort Myers’ Tonio Brindley (24) and Tyler Manning (23) Tuesday night.
- MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner senior Josh Bello (20) guards Terran McClendon of Fort Myers after an offensive rebound Tuesday night. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
- MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner senior Thaddeus Longsworth (11) slips past Evin Graham (15) of Fort Myers for a layup in a District 5A-15 game Tuesday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape- coral-daily-breeze.com.