Cason leads balanced Braden River
Host Braden River led throughout en route to a 67-51 victory against Manatee on Wednesday in boys basketball nondistrict action.
The Pirates opened a 15-point lead at halftime, 38-23, and maintained it throughout the second half.
Deoni Cason led Braden River (12-8) with 20 points. Tyler Dyson, Daniel Tart and Jordan Curtis finished with 10 each. Ryan Duncan collected 10 rebounds and Curtis Cobb produced 13 assists.
Braden River returns to action Friday against Lakewood Ranch in the teams' regular-season district finale.
Girls basketball
Lakewood Ranch 64, North Port 31 -- The host Mustangs shut out the Bobcats 13-0 in the first quarter en route to the senior night romp. Junior LaDazhia Williams scored a team-high 16 points and recorded five steals for Lakewood Ranch (20-4), which returns to action Saturday against Winter Haven at St. Petersburg Northeast. Senior Elise Spiller contributed 10 points and three assists and sophomore India Searls added nine points and seven rebounds.
PALMETTO 60, SARASOTA RIVERVIEW 25 -- Tina Stephens finished one steal short of a five-by-five game and the Tigers rolled to a blowout win Wednesday against Riverview in Sarasota. Stephens scored 19 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out five assists, blocked five shots and recorded four steals to spark the rout. One more steal would have given the post player at least five in five statistical categories.
Senior guard Taylor Rozier led PHS (14-5) with 23 points and junior guard Anissa Washington added 11. Palmetto concludes the season with three games in three days, the second of which comes Thursday on the road against the Southeast.
Southeast 64, Boca Ciega 40 -- Bryonna Reed scored a team-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead the host Seminoles. Shauntavia Green added 13 points and 10 assists, her third double-double of the season but first that consisted of points and assists. Faith Mays contributed 12 points for Southeast (19-3), which led 34-17 at halftime. The Seminoles, who have won 10 in a row, return to action Thursday at home against Palmetto.
Wrestling
VENICE 43, MANATEE 30 -- Originally scheduled to be played on Joe Kinnan Field at Hawkins Stadium, the Hurricanes' dual meet with the Indians was moved to the Manatee High School gymnasium, and the Canes stumbled to a loss without their top senior.
Caleb Rudisill, who is sidelined with an injury, sat out and junior varsity call-up Nika Ukhurgunashvili stepped into the Hurricanes' lineup. The new addition wrestled at 134 pounds and was one of five winners for Manatee in the loss. Marshall Craig (113), Charlie Small (145), Matt McAleer (150) and Connor Morgan (170) picked up the other wins for the Canes.
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 12:16 AM with the headline "Cason leads balanced Braden River ."