High School Stats - Pine Crest School

Knight scores 35 to best Boynton
Heritage star scores 32 in loss to Pine Crest
By Gary Curreri | Special Correspondent
December 13, 2008

CORAL SPRINGS - Brandon Knight bested rival Kenny Boynton in a District 14-3A boys' basketball game that lived up to its billing Friday night.

Knight had a game-high 35 points and nine assists as a standing-room crowd of 1,500 watched defending state champion Pine Crest hold off a stubborn American Heritage team 74-72 in a battle of unbeatens at Coral Springs Gymnasium. More than 500 people were turned away at the door, and they missed a classic.

"I struggled with my free throws in this game," said Knight, who was 8 of 13 from the line. His two free throws with 13.4 seconds remaining were the difference and gave Pine Crest (6-0, 2-0) the lead for good and its 24th consecutive victory, dating to last season. "There wasn't that much pressure tonight, we just wanted to get the momentum and the first win of the season against them."

American Heritage, which trailed 67-59 with 1:49 remaining, rallied to tie it at 72 on two 3-pointers by Boynton, including one which turned into a four-point play with a free throw.

After Knight gave the Panthers the lead, American Heritage had two chances to tie. Ray Taylor missed a layup, and Remi Barry couldn't make two free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining.

Boynton, who was plagued with foul trouble in the first half, scored 28 of his 32 points in the second half to bring the Patriots (4-1, 2-1) back from an early 12-point deficit. Boynton, who signed a letter-of-intent with Florida, and with his future college coach Billy Donovan in attendance, finally got on the scoreboard with 2:16 remaining in the first half on a driving layup.

"It was very tough to sit on the bench in the first half," Boynton said. "My mind-set the second half was to do whatever I could to help my team win. I was feeling it. I give them their props. They are a good team, and we have to work harder to get them the next time."

Boynton picked up his second foul with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter and sat out until there was 5:01 remaining in the first half.

"It's a rivalry and a couple of great players on the floor," Pine Crest coach David Beckerman said. "Kenny got them back into the game. I have to give them credit. We are young, and we are not the same team as we were last year."

Ed Waite finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Panthers, who opened with a 9-0 run.