VERO BEACH — While NBA All Stars were competing in Orlando Saturday night for the skills challenge title, the John B. Witt gymnasium was packed to capacity as Vero Beach (21-6) and Riverview (25-5) battled for the right to compete in Lakeland for the class 8-A state semifinal. The Fighting Indians held on to defeat Sarasota-Riverview 60-57.
Those in attendance included friends, family, former players – such as Jacob Frasier who led Vero Beach to Lakeland in 2000 – and Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax. Although three of Vero’s players have played in front of thousands during football season receiver/guard Jeremy Bell said this type of atmosphere was unlike anything he has ever seen.
“I never played in a game like this in my life,” Bell said. “I appreciate the fans coming out and supporting us like this. This was crazy.”
The first quarter had fans on the edge of their seats as both teams tried to decipher the other’s defense. Riverview and Vero Beach had trouble finding the basket as the first quarter ended with Vero Beach turning the ball over four times and Riverview in front 9-8.
Vero Beach Coach Chuck Loewendick said he knew going into the game that Riverview was a good team.
“This team shoots the ball so well we knew they could start hitting threes at any time,” Loewendick said. “Even when we were up by double digits we had to continue to play aggressive defense. That’s what our kids did.”
Vero Beach took their first lead of the game in the second quarter on a Jeremy Bell fast break, back to back threes from Charlie Miller. Jamario Lambert also hit a three with 1:01 left in the first half that put Vero in front 24-18 and that forced Riverview Coach B.J. Ivey to call a timeout. Neither team scored in the final minute of the second quarter.
Vero Beach stepped on the gas at the start of the second half scoring 7 unanswered points and forcing Riverview to call a timeout with 4:52 to go and trailing 31-18.
In the final seconds of the third quarter Vero’s Jamario Lambert soared through the air and brought the home crowd to its feet with an emphatic dunk. Vero led at the end of the third quarter 40-23 but the game was far from over.
Riverview hit a couple of threes at the beginning of the fourth and cut Vero’s lead to 11. After an exchange of free throws Vero’s lead was cut to nine.
Riverview then converted two steals into points and were within 4 with 2:04 to go in the game. Riverview began pressing the ball even more, which eventually led to fouls that put Vero in the double bonus.
Coach Loewendick said his players came up big at the free throw line.
“Our guys shot well from the free throw line tonight,” Loewendick said. “When we needed them our guys delivered.”
Vero’s Nick McGoye hit 3 of four free throws to keep Vero on top.
Riverview was able to cut the lead to 57-55 with 23.6 seconds to go and fouled Jeremy Bell. Bell hit both free throws and kept Vero in the lead 59-55.
Vero sent Riverview to the line with 18.2 to go and they made both free throws and were back within two. Vero’s Jamario Lambert was fouled with 12.3 left on the clock. He sank one of two and Vero held on for the 60-57 win.
Lambert said this is a great experience.
“This feels great this is my first year getting this far and this is my first time going to Lakeland,” Lambert said. “I hope we can bring the state championship back to Vero.”
Vero Beach will play the winner of Haggerty (23-7) and West Orange (23-7).
