Key West’s boys basketball team moved to 7-7 on the season after a flurry of activity over the holiday break. On Dec. 27, the Conchs made the trip to Bishop Verot High School for their Holiday Hoopfest. There the Conchs defeated the Vikings in an exciting 67-66 nailbiter.
Leo Batista had the hot hand, scoring 15 points with eight rebounds. Zach Levering scored 14 and pulled down 19 rebounds. Jaxen Cabrera scored 11 and Jakub Krytinar added 10 plus seven rebounds. The following day, the Conchs lost to the Warhawks of Seminole High, 70-57. James Osborne had the top total with 24 points and added five steals to his stats. Levering scored 15 and grabbed eight rebounds in the loss.
The Conchs found their rhythm again on Dec. 29 when they sent the Port Charlotte Pirates sailing. Osborne sank 35 points while Judson Snider added 19 points, four steals and a pair of blocks in the 67-59 win. In their final game of the holiday break, Key West lost to a visiting Ransom Everglades on Jan. 3. Snider scored 13 and pulled down five rebounds while Osborne and Batista each added eight. Levering scrambled for five points, six rebounds, four steals and a block in the 51-44 loss.
Marathon dropped to 5-10 after a holiday break full of high-caliber competition. The Fins held their own against a daunting Miami High on Jan. 2. The Stingarees’ lineup was chock full of height and talent, and Marathon held strong but ultimately lost 51-41. Josh Koler had the team high of 15 points, pulling down eight rebounds and adding three blocks. Jack Chapman scored 14 and had five rebounds and Giorvis Zamora added 13 to the team total with three steals to his credit.
The following day, Marathon hosted Ransom Everglades, who were fresh off a win against Key West. The Raiders went home with a second Keys win, defeating the Dolphins 53-46. Chapman led the way against the Raiders with 17 points while Andrew Suarez added 12 and Zamora had eight.
Photos by Justice Lee Isom and Maicey Malgrat.
