ST. PETERSBURG — Boca Ciega relied on a patient offense and defensive rebounding to win its second game in a row, cruising past St. Petersburg 43-35.
Kenya Joseph’s three layups helped the Pirates (6-1) get out to a 9-0 lead. St. Petersburg went on a 9-0 run of its own in the second period to get within two points. At the buzzer, Bogie’s Destiny Brown dropped a 3-pointer to give the Pirates a 22-17 halftime advantage.
In the second half, Niaya White and Ngozi Nix each scored three field goals, most from close range, to keep the Pirates ahead. After the Green Devils pulled within six points at the start of the final period, Bogie scored seven unanswered to ice it.
Boca Ciega made a lot of its shots from close range, while the Green Devils struggled at their end of the court. That led to Bogie rebounds and points in transition. St. Petersburg couldn’t make up for it in outside shooting, but Michael Everhart sank three 3-pointers.
Friday’s game was the third in three days for St. Petersburg (3-3). The Green Devils rolled past their previous two opponents, Northeast and Seminole.
Boca Ciega coach Michael Hall noted that while his team is young, it is also improving with each game. “We’re executing our zone offense better,” he said.
Hall gave a lot of credit for that offense to former Bogie basketball star David White for putting together the team’s potent offense.
“David White’s a big part of what we do,” Hall said.