ATLANTIC COAST HANDS STANTON THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS

FABRIZIO GOWDY | JAN. 6, 2021 | SPORTS

A dominant third quarter powered the Atlantic Coast High School Stingrays over the Stanton College Preparatory School boys basketball team at Stanton Wednesday. 

Both defenses were solid in the opening quarter, as Atlantic Coast was held to eight points and Stanton was scoreless until the 2:14 mark. Senior guard Ro Vemuri, who entered leading the Blue Devils in scoring with 16.3 points per game, came alive late in the quarter. Vemuri's two threes and a floater represented all eight Stanton first quarter points. 

Tied 8-8 going into the second, the Stingrays offense shook off its early struggles, as Atlantic Coast put up 20 points in the second. Stanton's defense struggled to keep a physical Stingray team in check, especially in the paint, where Atlantic Coast had a clear size advantage.

Offensively for the blue Devils, senior Jaylon Mitchell had a pair of baskets including a three point play. Late in the half, junior Andrew Anton went coast to coast with a Stanton layup at the buzzer, but the Blue Devils still trailed by nine at the half.

The game was decided in the crucial third quarter. Atlantic Coast went on the attack, implementing a full court press and forcing turnover after turnover. Atlantic Coast got hot from beyond the arc, and a 10-0 Stingray run blew the game wide open. The Blue Devils mustered just six points and trailed 45-25 at the end of the quarter.

Down 20 points with eight minutes to play, the Blue Devils faced an uphill battle. A Ro Vemuri three with four minutes remaining cut the lead to 12, but that proved to be the high water mark for the Stanton comeback. The Stingrays closed out the game in the final minutes, securing a convincing 63-45 road victory.

Stanton is now 2-8, and will travel to Middleburg High School Jan. 12 to take on the Broncos, who the Blue Devils narrowly defeated in overtime last season. Atlantic Coast will face the Eagles at Fleming Island High School Thursday.