Boys Basketball learns valuable lesson in loss to King's Academy

He also believes the Gators (9-10, 6-3) learned a valuable lesson from the way TKA's guards swarmed all over SH Prep defensively and deftly ran the offense.

"The goal now is to go get ourselves better so we don't panic from the pressure of guards like that," Martinelli said. "With guards like that, it's tough to see them losing three games."

It could come down to the game between The King's Academy (13-6, 8-1) and Eastside Prep (11-6, 8-1) on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Eastside Prep, which beat Priory 55-43 on Tuesday, plays Menlo (13-6, 7-2) on the road Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Knights beat Pinewood, 66-33. Sacred Heart Prep throws out the welcome mat for Pinewood (9-10, 1-7) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The Gators tangle with Menlo at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sacred Heart Prep led The King's Academy at some point in both games this season before letting it slip away. It may have been even more galling Tuesday night.

Yianni Gardner hit a 3-pointer to bring the Gators within 33-29 of TKA with about three minutes left to play in the third quarter. In the blink of an eye, everything started going wrong for SH Prep and the Knights went on a 9-0 run that completely changed the complexion of the game.

Martinelli drew a technical foul during the run, one of four fouls called against SHP in that three-minute sequence. At the other end of the court, TKA managed to avoid fouling while sealing off the paint and getting physical inside.

The Knights played aggressor all night and were ultimately whistled for nearly 20 fouls on the night. And it was the play of Noah Short, also a star football player, and Malachi Mitchell that gave TKA the edge.

"Turnovers were part of things," Martinelli said. "We had to play perfectly on offense and their guards are so active, it makes it difficult. They get their hands on the ball."

Aided by a supportive home crowd, TKA played with passion and determination. A nice, touching moment immediately after the game was Short walking into the stands for a quick, private celebration, apparently with his father (and definitely the team's loudest supporter), before he joined his teammates in celebrating the victory.

Brendan Carney and Jai Deshpande, who made all six of his free throws, each scored 13 points to lead the Gators.