A week ago, we saw a battle of two contrasting teams. Sharp-shooting, senior led Ponte Vedra traveled to take a young, rebuilding Oakleaf team that likes to score in transition. Besides the contrasting styles, they also came in with contrasting records. Though both have played a challenging schedule, including games in the Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic, Ponte Vedra had a record of 5-3, while Oakleaf had a record of 2-5 coming into this matchup.
The first half was close throughout with both teams using defense to fuel their offense. Oakleaf thrived in the midrange and at the basket led by Sophomore Shelby Gaines and Junior Trista Brown. Ponte Vedra dominated from behind the arc making five 3-pointers with three of those coming from Senior Kennedy Rosendahl. They also got scoring from Senior Maya Richards off some big-time offensive rebounds and putbacks. Ponte Vedra led at the half 26-25.
I'm late but I made it.
— Patrece Albertie (@CoachPatrece) December 16, 2023
Northeast Florida
Girls Basketball @pvhsgirlsbball at @Oakleaf_GBB
Ponte Vedra with the early 4-2 lead @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/rKsnmfMi7i
The second half was much different though as Ponte Vedra’s Morgan Gavazzi got hot after being shutout in the first half. She scored 8 points in the third quarter leading to them winning the quarter 11-4 and taking a 37-29 lead into the fourth quarter.
They were able to extend that lead to double digits as Oakleaf went cold from the field. Oakleaf amped up their defense and Shelby got hot again, and they were able to cut the lead to 6 points with two minutes left in the game. They wouldn’t get any closer though as Ponte Vedra sealed the 53-47 win from the free throw line, including 6-8 from Morgan. Oakleaf was led by Shelby Gaines with 18 points and Trista Brown with 14 points.
Leading scorers for @Oakleaf_GBB were Shelby Gaines with 18 points and @tristabrownn with 14 points pic.twitter.com/pfFFedzSJu
— Patrece Albertie (@CoachPatrece) December 16, 2023
Ponte Vedra’s leading scorers were Morgan Gavazzi with 18 points, and Kennedy Rosendahl and Maya Richards with 13 points each. The win was the push the team needed to get momentum heading into the Christmas break. It’s been an up and down sleigh ride for coach Jessica Spencer-Gardner and the Sharks. However, after a 53-50 loss to Signal Mountain, TN (10-1), Ponte Vedra has won three straight games. They won 51-40 over Chestatee, GA (7-2), last night, and 49-39 over James Madison, VA (4-7) tonight to improve to 8-4 on the season. A 2-1 Holiday tournament finish is great early Christmas present for Ponte Vedra, who look unwrap more wins to come.
