Mike Ridaught
The Buchholz boys basketball team lost a tough one to Ribault (Jacksonville) on day one of the Battle on the Island tournament at Fleming Island (Orange Park) on Tuesday.
The Bobcats lost in overtime, falling 80-73 to the Trojans.
However, Buchholz rebounded on Wednesday and bounced back with a 70-48 win against Baker County (Glen St. Mary).
The Bobcats, who improved to 4-5, will play Fletcher (Neptune Beach) at 12:45 p.m. for the consolation championship on Thursday. The Senators (8-3) advanced with an 80-45 win against Ridgeview (Orange Park) in the other consolation semifinals.
Bradford (Starke) has gone 1-1 at the tournament.
The Tornadoes (3-3) defeated Baker County, 66-48, on Tuesday, but they lost to Ribault, 84-55, on Wednesday. Bradford will play Brunswick (GA) for third place at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, while Lakeland will face Ribault for the Green Championship Division title.
At the Jim Haley Christmas Classic at Trinity Catholic (Ocala), the host Celtics defeated Columbia (Lake City), 66-50. Junior Isaac Broxey led the Tigers (5-4) with 23 points, followed by junior Amare Ferrell with 10 points.
Columbia, which has gone 1-2 at the tournament, will play 8-2 Calvary Christian (Clearwater) on Thursday at 2 p.m. on the final day of the 16-team tournament.
Earlier in the day, Santa Fe (Alachua) defeated P.K. Yonge (Gainesville), 63-54, as both teams were looking for their first win of the tournament.
It was also the first and only meeting this season between the Raiders, who improved to 5-4, and the Blue Wave (4-6).
Bronson’s game against Oldsmar Christian was canceled, giving the Eagles (4-6) their first win of the tournament (via forfeit).