Day two of the boys Gateway Conference Tournament featured an intense matchup between Paxon and Wolfson, held at Raines High School.
In the third quarter, the game remained closely contested. Zion Hall attempted a downtown shot, but the ball missed. However, Delvin Bell Jr. secured the rebound and executed a putback, putting the Eagles ahead by 3 points.
The Wolfson Wolfpack responded with a strong play from Darian Frazier, showcasing his ball-handling skills. Frazier stopped and made a shot at the free-throw line, bringing Wolfson within 1 point.
Despite Wolfson's efforts, Paxon proved to be a formidable opponent. Jacob De-Los Santos faced defensive pressure but managed to sink a challenging jumper, extending Paxon's lead to 36-33.
Ultimately, the Golden Eagles emerged victorious, securing their 9th consecutive win with a final score of 49-42.
The focus then shifted to determining Paxon's semi-final opponent, with Raines facing off against First Coast.
Early in the game, defense took center stage. Jabez Griffen of the Vikings showcased his speed on a fastbreak, scoring an easy layup and putting Raines ahead 3-0.
Raines, known as one of the top teams in the area, adeptly navigated First Coast's full-court press. Ta'veon Dunbar drove past the defender and scored, maintaining Raines' lead at 5-0.
As the game progressed to the second quarter, Griffen assisted Ja'Zon Taylor with a well-executed floater, further extending Raines' lead to 3 points.
The Vikings continued their dominance, securing a third consecutive victory with a final score of 57-42. They earned the right to face the Eagles in the semi-finals at Paxon on Thursday night, with the tip-off scheduled for 7 pm.