Tuesday night, The Villages Charter hosted the Refs R Us Tip-Off Class.  Five games ran simultaneously and we decided to take in the Gainesville P.K. Yonge vs. Orlando Exclusive Prep matchup.  Judging by the final margin, it was the most closely contested game of the evening.

Each team got off to a solid offensive start.  Yonge was successful knocking down shots from behind the arc while Exclusive was able to get to the rim.  In fact, with under five minutes to play in the opening quarter, Yonge had already committed five fouls to put Exclusive in the bonus.  At the four minute mark, Exclusive was up 11-9.  They were not able to take advantage of being in the bonus until later in the quarter.  At the end of the period, Exclusive was up five, 20-15.

It didn’t take long for Yonge to close the gap and with 5:30 left in the half the margin was just one at 25-24.  A minute later, after a bucket by Exclusive, Yonge drained a three to tie the game at 27-27.  The pace picked up from there as Yonge continued to have success from deep while Exclusive got their transition game going.  When halftime came around, nothing had changed as Exclusive still led by five, 46-41.

In the third, Exclusive finally got results from its trapping and ball-hawking on defense.  Yonge turnovers led to points for Exclusive and with three minute to play in the period, Exclusive made its lead double-digits at 57-47.  After a Yonge timeout, the team calmed down and took better care of the basketball.  That didn’t result in getting closer on the scoreboard and with one period left to play, Exclusive was up ten, 62-52.

Yonge sliced that margin in half with a 5-0 run to open the fourth quarter.  Exclusive regrouped and with four minutes left had a 71-65 lead.  Yonge had several opportunities to close that gap but each time Exclusive had an answer.  Exclusive held on for an 82-73 win.

Exclusive was paced by 6’1 junior Josten Hernandez with 33 points.  He got support from 6’3 senior Markel Holmes with 14 points and 6’5 sophomore Max Lazula with 10 points.

For P.K. Yonge, both 6’8 senior Eugene Hall and 6’1 senior Kyroe Jordan each scored 16 ponts.  Kayden Merricks, a 5’9 senior, added 12 points.