We took in the Deland-Oviedo regional first round game in Deland on Thursday night. While we had just seen the Lions lose a close one to Sanford Seminole a week ago, we had yet to see Deland and its two senior stars Brodgie Gordon and Wyatt Hollmann play this season.
The game started eerily similar to last week’s contest as Deland raced out to an early 11-0 lead with three minutes gone in the first quarter. Oviedo finally knocked down a three with 3:30 to play in the period and from that point on they played evenly with host Deland. At the end of the first quarter, Deland led 22-13.
The second period started much like the first as Deland got out to an 8-1 run to increase their lead to sixteen at 30-14 with just under six minutes to go in the half. Oviedo called a timeout and upon returning to play extended their defense. Deland didn’t handle it well and the Lions would outscore Deland 16-10 to get back within ten at 40-30 at the break.
Deland led by eight in the third quarter when Gordon picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench. He had scored 19 points by that time and was the primarily ball-handler against Oviedo’s press. In his absence, things slowly began to go south for Deland and Oviedo capitalized. By the end of the period, the Deland lead was cut in half to five at 52-47.
Oviedo swished a three on their opening possession to make it a two point game and Deland quickly got Gordon back in the game. With 3:30 left in the game Deland led 64-61. Mamush Galloway had a chance to tie with just over two minutes to play but made only one of two free throws. Deland scored on their next trip down to make it a two possession game and that’s when the Lions had to begin fouling to get possession of the ball. Four Oviedo players would foul out in the final minutes of the contest to execute this strategy. Deland was able to extend its lead from the free throw line and win by the score of 74-66.
Gordon of Deland led all scorers with 27 points. Hollmann almost had a 20-20 game with 18 points and 20 rebounds.
Oviedo was led by Aidan Knight and Galloway as each scored 17 points.