The Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game for the Alachua-Marion North Central Florida Boys’ Basketball All-Star Game on Tuesday, March 20 is Will Banks of P.K. Yonge.
Banks, a senior who led the Blue Wave to their first state semifinal in 10 years this season, had a game-high 22 points as the Alachua County All-Stars rolled over the Marion County All-Stars, 107-84, at Vanguard High School in Ocala.
Banks, who scored 27 points in the Blue Wave’s regional semifinal win against Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville), and 18 points in P.K.’s state semifinal loss to Master’s Academy (Oviedo) in the 4A state semifinal in Lakeland, led five Alachua County players in double figures as they led to from start to finish over the Marion County All-Stars.
Banks scored 14 points in the opening half, including one of the Alachua All-Stars 7 three-pointers as they pulled away to a 63-35 lead at the halftime break.
Alachua County knocked down 13 threes in the game overall.
Devin Lawrence of Hawthorne added 12 points, Nick Baskin of St. Francis Catholic Academy (Gainesville) and Diamond Smith of Gainesville chipped in 11 points each, and Noah Richardson of Eastside (Gainesville) had 10 points in a game filled with three-pointers and highlight reel dunks.
Marion County had three players score in double figures, paced by Darion Wilson of 1A state champion Wildwood with 20 points, Eddie Jackson of Forest (Ocala) with 14 points, and Marvin Martinez of Dunnellon, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half.
The game pitted seniors that were chosen by their head coaches against each other.
The Alachua All-Stars were coached by JV Coach Michael Barnes of Gainesville and Freshman Coach Ben Masterson of Buchholz (Gainesville), while the Marion All-Stars were led by JV Coach Ernie Benjamin of North Marion (Citra) and Freshman Coach Matt Moyer of Trinity Catholic (Ocala).
Gainesville, Eastside, and St. Francis had the most players on the Alachua team with three apiece, while Marion was led by three representatives from Forest.
Jalen Scott and Keegan Kash represented Vanguard (Ocala) and both played the final game of their high school careers on their home floor.
Every game The Prep Zone will recognize a Player-of-the-Game. The recipient receives a $10 gift certificate courtesy of Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville & Ocala.
