
When you look at the Williston Red Devils record in the 2024-25 season and see 12-8, you probably think the two-time defending state champs are struggling.
While the schedule has been brutal, one thing is certain — Williston is still automatic at home.
The host Red Devils got 27 points from junior De’Andre Harvey and pulled away from visiting Hawthorne for a 66-54 win on Friday night.
The win continued a home winning streak that dates to Feb. 8, 2022, when the Red Devils lost in their district championship game against Trenton.
On Friday night against rival Hawthorne, Williston jumped out quickly, with Harvey and senior Adam Henderson scoring seven points apiece in the opening period as the Red Devils led 17-14.
The second quarter saw more of the same, with Harvey scoring eight more points as the Red Devils answered every Hawthorne run. The Hornets cut the deficit to one on a couple of occasions, but Harvey and senior Xavier Kirkpatrick hit big 3-pointers as Williston extended their lead to 31-24 at halftime.
“He [Henderson] is a guy who can knock down shots and his teammates can create his offense by kicking out to him,” Williston coach Jim Ervin said. “As far as De’Andre goes, I don’t know what to say about that. He’s just a special player.”
Henderson was in double figures with 15 points and Kirkpatrick added 10.
Hawthorne stepped up the defense a bit on Harvey in the second half, and he managed only two more field goals, but he was 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Henderson hit another 3-pointer and senior Joel Washington knocked down one too as Williston (13-8) took a double-digit lead early in the third quarter and went ahead 45-33 going into the final quarter.
The lead grew to as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter as Williston cruised to the win.
Williston has lost to three of the top 10 teams in the state of Florida this season. Ervin says that should prepare his team for the Rural classification playoffs.
“Our schedule has prepared us for the postseason,” Ervin said. “We are really playing well at the right time.”
Hawthorne (8-2) was led by senior Leland Johnson with 19 points. Senior DeCarion Debose scored 15 and senior Chasion Wilson added 10 points.
Hawthorne coach Greg Bowie expects to see Williston again.
“They [Williston] are a very good team and Harvey is quite a player,” Bowie said. “But we have some time to get better and work on some things and plan on seeing them in the district tournament.”