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Sharks Season Ends in Semifina
Talented Pembroke Pines Charter ends Sharks run 61-34
Ponte Vedra?s 2023-24 season came to an end at the hands of a very talented Pembroke Pines Charter team 61-34 at the 6A State semifinals in Lakeland. The Sharks clearly were not at their best against the Jaguars but much of the credit must go to their opponents. On the Shark?s very first possession a steal by Pembroke Pines and a made layup was the first sign it was going to perhaps be a long night for the Sharks. By the time the first period had ended the Sharks had tallied but five points to their opponents 14. Making only four shots in their 21 attempts in the first half led to Ponte Vedra trailing 25-12 in the first half, their lowest first half scoring total during the entire season.
Pembroke Pines Charter arguably might have been the Sharks best opponent they faced since the Bolles state championship team of 2015-16. The Jaguars dominated on the backboards with several of their points made were on put back layups from their own missed shots.
One oddity in the game was that the Sharks never attempted a single free throw in the contest. Although it was not the ending they sought, the 2023-24 season was an overwhelming success. Featuring three sophomores in their rotation, the youngsters blended in with the few returning veterans as the season progressed and they improved immeasurably from the start of the season. At one point in the campaign the Sharks had a record of 9-5 but kept getting better as the season wore on. Only a buzzer-beater loss to Providence kept coach Ben Wilson?s squad from winning 13 straight before their loss in the final four.
The Sharks can eagerly look ahead to next year as the cupboard is not bare of talent. Four players who figured prominently this past season will return but they will surely miss the presence from a trio of departing seniors.
Sam Ritchie capped his career as the seventh leading scorer in the program?s history with 837 career points. 6?6 Tyler Cowans was a consistent force for PVHS all season, especially on the boards as his season total of 191 rebounds was fourth best in school history. 6?3 senior Brendan Hynes was the silent warrior who did much of the work that doesn?t often show up in the stats lines. His work in the regional final against Wiregrass Ranch was a big reason why Ponte Vedra advanced to the final four for the third consecutive year.
The four returnees for next season who played a pivotal role in this season?s success include junior David Sanchez-Barrera and sophomores Maddox Palmer, Trace Westercamp, and Ryan Speace. That?s a lot of talent ? and size ? coming back for the 2024-25 season. Can the Shark?s make it four straight trips to the final four? Stay tuned.
Submitted by Jim Moyes
Pembroke Pines Charter arguably might have been the Sharks best opponent they faced since the Bolles state championship team of 2015-16. The Jaguars dominated on the backboards with several of their points made were on put back layups from their own missed shots.
One oddity in the game was that the Sharks never attempted a single free throw in the contest. Although it was not the ending they sought, the 2023-24 season was an overwhelming success. Featuring three sophomores in their rotation, the youngsters blended in with the few returning veterans as the season progressed and they improved immeasurably from the start of the season. At one point in the campaign the Sharks had a record of 9-5 but kept getting better as the season wore on. Only a buzzer-beater loss to Providence kept coach Ben Wilson?s squad from winning 13 straight before their loss in the final four.
The Sharks can eagerly look ahead to next year as the cupboard is not bare of talent. Four players who figured prominently this past season will return but they will surely miss the presence from a trio of departing seniors.
Sam Ritchie capped his career as the seventh leading scorer in the program?s history with 837 career points. 6?6 Tyler Cowans was a consistent force for PVHS all season, especially on the boards as his season total of 191 rebounds was fourth best in school history. 6?3 senior Brendan Hynes was the silent warrior who did much of the work that doesn?t often show up in the stats lines. His work in the regional final against Wiregrass Ranch was a big reason why Ponte Vedra advanced to the final four for the third consecutive year.
The four returnees for next season who played a pivotal role in this season?s success include junior David Sanchez-Barrera and sophomores Maddox Palmer, Trace Westercamp, and Ryan Speace. That?s a lot of talent ? and size ? coming back for the 2024-25 season. Can the Shark?s make it four straight trips to the final four? Stay tuned.
Submitted by Jim Moyes
