Basketball: Apopka tops West Orange 63-58 for first district win -- Observer Preps

by Nate Marrero | Correspondent

APOPKA In a game where neither team was able to pull away from the other, a crucial 3-pointer from Terrence McClain put the Apopka Blue Darters (11-4, 1-3 in district) up 61-58 with 1:04 left in the game, propelling the Blue Darters to their 63-58 win over the West Orange Warriors (11-6).

After trailing throughout most of the first half, a thunderous dunk from Nathan Louis broke a 35-35 tie and spurred an 8-0 run that ended with a 43-37 lead for the Blue Darters at the end of the third quarter.

The Warriors responded by starting the quarter on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 43.

Both teams would go back and forth for a total of five lead changes in the fourth quarter, before McClain’s decisive three propelled Apopka to their first district win of the season.

McClain and Jai Clark both had 17 points for the Blue Darters.

Jaylin Thomas led the Warriors with 14 points.

Nate Marrero is a senior at Ocoee High School and an aspiring sports journalist.