BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Keystone Heights High School had a tough time getting anything going against North Marion’s defense in 51-18 loss in a Dec. 19 boys basketball matchup on day one of the Lake Area McDonald’s-Kiwanis of Starke Christmas Tournament at Bradford High School.
The Indians (5-5) committed almost 30 turnovers and made just seven of their 42 field-goal attempts.
Keystone’s Garrison Teague scored the first points of the game off an offensive rebound, but North Marion (4-2) responded with 10 straight points, taking a lead it would never relinquish.
Both teams struggled from the field in the second quarter, with each team shooting less than 20 percent. The Colts didn’t score points following most of Keystone’s seven turnovers in the quarter, but did get three-pointers from Jermaine Jackson and Titus Williams after two of them as North Marion took a 26-11 lead into the half.
Williams opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, but the Indians answered at the other end when Seth Gagnon scored on a layup off a Teague assist. The basket would give Keystone its only points in the quarter as the Colts were able to increase their lead to 32 points.
The Indians enjoyed few highlights in the second half, but did get consecutive baskets off steals by Bryce Hollingsworth and Darrion Grady in the fourth quarter.
Michael Bruzzese, who had two three-pointers in the first half, led Keystone with seven points. Grady and Hollingsworth had four and three, respectively, while Gagnon and Teague each had two.
Keystone plays Tavares on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 4:30 p.m. on day two of the tournament. Paxon will play Suwannee at 6 p.m., followed by Bradford against North Marion at 7:30 p.m.
Day three of the tournament — its last — begins with a 4:30 p.m. matchup between North Marion and Tavares. Keystone will play Suwannee at 6 p.m., followed by Bradford against Paxon at 6:30 p.m.
