After a 62-48 home loss to Eastside on Jan. 19, the P.K. Yonge Blue Wave fell to 6-12 on the season. Since then, they have found their stride and, on Saturday night, continued their winning ways to advance to the second round of the Class 2A boys basketball playoffs. 

Freshman Jayden Harriott scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, including three 3-pointers, as the host Blue Wave pulled away to beat University Christian (Jacksonville), 66-56, in the Class 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals. 

It was the seventh win in eight games for P.K. Yonge, as the Blue Wave evened their record at 13-13. 

Despite being a No. 6 seed in Region 1, the Blue Wave earned a home game against the No. 3 seed Christians after their district title win last week over Trinity Catholic (Ocala) and P.K. Yonge coach Willie Powers III says he was happy to be at home. 

“It had been a while since P.K. has hosted a home playoff game,” Powers said. “I think we did a good job taking advantage of that. We had a great crowd and I think everybody came in with a great attitude and it pushed us forward at the end of the game.” 

University Christian (13-11) came out on fire in the opening period. Sophomore Preston Pride scored six of his team-high 18 points and junior Markel Holmes added five points as the Christians led 17-12.  

P.K. Yonge junior Decedric Sowell hit two three-pointers to keep the Blue Wave in the game early. 

The Blue Wave’s defense stepped up in the second quarter, holding the Christians to eight points. Sowell knocked down another 3-pointer and P.K. Yonge tied the game at 25-25 at the half. 

In the third quarter, Harriott took over, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers and scoring 10 points, but the two teams continued to battle back and forth, and P.K. Yonge took a 42-40 lead into the final period. 

“Decedric and Jayden, they had a tough two games of districts,” Powers said. “I think they did an unbelievable job of bouncing back tonight. We needed it and more than anything, they showed unbelievable leadership.” 

Senior Jarvis Cook Jr. had nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, including five of six from the free throw line, and the Blue Wave hit 12 free throws in the final period to pull away. 

Next Saturday, P.K. Yonge will face an even tougher test at No. 2 seed The First Academy (Orlando) in the regional semifinals. The Royals pounded Trinity Catholic 76-32 in their playoff opener. 

“I know they (First Academy) are a very good team,” Powers said. “I am going to sit down and watch film and come up with a game plan. We need a week because we are a beat-up bunch.” 

BOYS 

Area teams in bold. 

Quarterfinals  
Saturday, Feb. 14 

Class 2A-Region 1 

6 P.K. Yonge 66, 3 University Christian (Jacksonville) 56  

Class 3A-Region 1 

5 Bradford (Starke) 46, 4 Walton (Defuniak Springs) 29  

2 Newberry 63, 7 South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach) 39  

Class 4A-Region 2 

4 Eastside 61, 5 Eustis 58 

Class 5A-Region 1 

1 Fleming Island (Orange Park) 75, 8 Gainesville 47 

6 Columbia (Lake City) 66, 3 Lincoln (Tallahassee) 65   

Class 6A-Region 1 

5 Buchholz 44, 4 Milton 41 

Semifinals 

Rural-Region 3 

1 Trenton 78, 4 Hamilton County (Jasper) 40 

2 Hilliard 54, 3 Union County (Lake Butler) 49  

Rural-Region 4 

1 Wildwood 64, 4 Hawthorne 41  

2 Williston 58, 3 Fort Meade 49