P.K. Yonge Boys Basketball Advances to Region Semifinals
Hoskins Gymnasium was rocking Saturday night when P.K. Yonge boys basketball punched its ticket to the Class 2A Region semifinals with a 66-56 victory against University Christian of Jacksonville.
The six seed Blue Wave (13-13) entered the home game having won six of their last seven. They are aiming for a deeper playoff run than last season, when they fell in the regional quarterfinals at The Master’s Academy, 80-48. The Blue Wave’s previous game was last week’s 42-32 win against Ocala Trinity Catholic for the district championship.
The game was a physical battle from the opening tip.
The three seed Christians (13-11) utilized a full-court zone early that troubled the Blue Wave. P.K. Yonge forward Eugene Hall battled for rebounds and defended the paint against University Christian’s big man Ja’kavious Dubose.
University Christian controlled the first quarter by driving to the basket and forcing turnovers, ending the period with a 17-12 lead.
However, the Blue Wave’s top shooters, Decedric Sowell and Jayden Harriott, found their rhythm. Sowell kept pace with the Christians by sinking 3-pointers in finishing the first half with nine points. Harriott played aggressively on both ends, attacking the paint and disrupting the Christians’ transition game in finishing the half with six points.
The teams went into halftime tied 25-25.
As fans at the local gym started to chant for the home team, the physicality intensified in the second half. A flurry of foul calls frustrated coaches and fans, as both teams struggled to maintain momentum. Harriott led the Blue Wave in the third quarter by hitting jumpers and 3-pointers to help P.K. Yonge take a 42-40 lead into the final period.
The fourth quarter remained tight, defined by players diving for loose balls and defensive stops. The Blue Wave maintained their edge as Sowell and Harriott continued to hit jumpers with ease.
University Christian’s comeback hopes faded when leading scorer Markel Holmes fouled out to the chants of waving P.K. Yonge fans.
“In the second half, I thought we met force with force,” P.K. Yonge coach Willie Powers III said. “All our guys played a high-IQ game.”
Harriott finished with a game-high 22 points.
“Tonight he played with a lot of confidence, a lot of poise,” Powers said. “We’re watching a lot of film and he’s evolving into a leader.”
The Blue Wave now shift their focus to the regional semifinal, where they will face second seed The First Academy (18-10) in Orlando at 7 p.m. Saturday.
2026 FHSAA Boys Basketball State Championship Tournament Class 2A
Category: Basketball, High School Sports, PK Yonge High School
