Sharks ride wave of momentum into districts

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It was a furious end to the month of January for the Ponte Vedra High boys basketball team as they finished the regular season 6-2 in their final eight games and are carrying a ton of momentum into postseason play.

The Sharks (17-8) stamped a big exclamation point on their recent run during the regular season finale, which was also senior night for David Sanchez Barrera, Alex Katsikas and Paul Burkhardt, following a 68-65 win over the Ribault High Trojans, who are ranked No. 5 in Class 4A.

Together the trio combined to score half of the Sharks 68 points on the night, including Sanchez Barrera who joined Maddux Palmer with a team-high 20 points.

Both Sanchez Barrera and Palmer were on fire with their shooting and made more than 55% of the shots they took against the Trojans, who did not have an answer for them.

The Sharks held an 18-point advantage with less than five minutes to play before the Trojans battled back thanks to a 17-0 run in the waning moments.

However, the Sharks weathered the push and held on to secure the victory at the end.

The three-point line proved to be a difference-maker in the game with Katsikas and Sanchez Barrera knocking down four shots from beyond the arc apiece.

Katsikas established a rhythm from long range, and he made all four of his three-point attempts to add to what was a memorable senior night all around for the veteran guard.

He finished in double figures scoring 12 points to accompany Trace Westercamp who tallied 10 points.

As the year has progressed, Palmer has continued to be a dominant force for the Sharks and that was on full display once again as he posted a double-double, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds to go with his 20 points.

Burkhardt was a major distributor of the ball for the offense in the contest with four assists, while Sanchez Barrera also showcased his ability as a floor general as he led the Sharks with five assists.

The Sharks defeated Ed White High 61-40 and advance to play St. Augustine High for the district championship on Friday, Feb. 7 at Ed White High School.

Ponte Vedra Sharks, basketball, senior night, district tournament