- April 18, 2024
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The Fury's Andrew Bass drives in for a layup. Photo by Ray Boone
The Flagler Fury's Tony Coates tries to pass the ball to a teammate during the semifinal. Photo by Ray Boone
The Fury's Andrew Bass passes the ball to a teammate against the Heat. Photo by Ray Boone
The Knicks' Isaac Atwood shoots a free throw in the championship game. Photo by Ray Boone
The Fury's Justin Goings is surrounded by a group of defenders during the championship game. Photo by Ray Boone
The Heat's Durrell Preston shoots a jumper over the defense. Photo by Ray Boone
The Lakers' Trenton Whalen banks in a jumper in the championship game. Photo by Ray Boone
Azavier Fleming dribbles out the clock in the championship game for the Prospects. Photo by Ray Boone
The Knicks' Victor Rodriguez shoots a jumper in the second half against the Prospects. Photo by Ray Boone
The Prospects' Keymarion Hall shoots a 3-pointer. Photo by Ray Boone
Prospects fans cheer after their team scores a basket in the final half. Photo by Ray Boone
The Prospects' Mike Conley roars after his teammate scores a bucket. Photo by Ray Boone
The Prospects' Anthony Hampton drives in for a layup. Photo by Ray Boone
The Prospects' Rya'sir Jefferson dribbles the ball on fastbreak. Photo by Ray Boone
The Prospects' C.J. Murphy shoots a layup over a pair of defenders. Photo by Ray Boone
Tied at 28 with 18 seconds left in regulation, the Prospects’ Rya'sir Jefferson knew something had to be done. His team, which had possession, was having difficulty inbounding the ball — the Lakers’ players were playing aggressive defense, tipping passes away at the last moment.
Jefferson took getting the ball inbounds upon himself. He rifled a pass to his teammate, Anthony Hampton. Jefferson sprinted around a screen, took the ball from Hampton and drove toward the hoop.
He banked in a layup with 8 seconds remaining to give his team the lead.
The Lakers’ Trenton Whalen was fouled on a jump shot and made the first free throw. He missed the second attempt, however, and the Prospects defeated the Lakers 30-29.
“I know I’m the leader of my team,” said Jefferson, who is 12 years old. “I have to lead them to victory.
The Flagler County Basketball program hosted its league championships for the spring season on the afternoon of Saturday, June 1, at the Carver Recreation Center in Bunnell. The Flagler Fury took down the Heat 24-15 in Division II, the Prospects beat the Lakers 30-29 for Division II and the Prospects handled the Knicks 37-24 for Division III. The season started in March and consisted of 10 regular season games.
“It’s been a long season, but it’s worth it,” said Fitzgerald Belgrave, the program’s director. “A lot of kids developed, so I’m happy. Kids who didn’t have any skill at first are becoming competitive now.”
The Flagler Fury lost to the Heat the week prior in a regular season game. They were down 16-0 after the opening half and battled back — ultimately losing by a point.
Saturday afternoon was an opportunity for revenge.
“It was a great achievement,” said Flagler Fury head coach Eric Guerrero, who is also an assistant coach girls basketball coach at Flagler Palm Coast High School “Today was a lot of fun.”
