Gainesville defeated Ocala Forest 64-55 in a District 4-7A high school boys basketball game Tuesday at the Purple Palace.
The Hurricanes (15-5) are undefeated in district at 6-0, but it wasn't easy, as the Wildcats led after each of the first three quarters and GHS converted only six of its first 20 free-throw attempts while Forest made 13 of its first 15.
But a gutty effort on the boards by senior Diamond Smith (13 points) and the reliable scoring of senior Christian Miller-Cardwell with a game-high 21 pulled the 'Canes through.
Forest was led by junior Zay Christie, who had 20 points with 10 coming from the free-throw line.
The victory was career win No. 750 for Gainesville High coach Kelly Beckham.
Saint Francis 52, Santa Fe 51: At Alachua, sophomore Miguel Yepez tipped in a rebound at the buzzer to lift the Class 3A Wolves (10-10) over the 6A Raiders.
Senior guard Demari Turner led Saint Francis with 19 points and senior Nick Baskin Jr. added 14 points. Saveon Webster had 17 for Santa Fe.
Dixie County 74, Cedar Key 41: At Cross City, Carlos Williams dialed up 18 points, thanks to four 3-pointers, to pace the Bears (9-3). Aaron Dawson followed with 14 points and James Smith (team-high seven rebounds) and Juan Washington scored 11 each.
Girls basketball
Eastside 55, North Marion 29: At Eastside, Deasia Danzy led the Rams (11-6) with 19 points and Breezae Miles chipped in 13.
Buchholz 53, Oak Hall 43: At Oak Hall, Ayanna Rollins, battling an illness, scored 26 points and had 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Eagles fell to 7-12.
Trenton 66, Williston 41: At Williston, the Tigers (18-2) put three players in double-figure scoring for the easy win. Taniah Bowers scored 15 points, had six rebounds, three assists and five steals, Thalia Jackson scored 15 points, had six rebounds, an assist and a steal, and Standrea McHenry scored 11 points to go with eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals for THS.
Girls soccer
Eastside 8, North Marion 0: At Citizens Field, Eastside eliminated North Marion in the district tourney quarterfinal.
Sierra Millinor scored three goals and Shizu Someya and Corinne Talham each scored two to lead the Rams. Ellie Miller-Jones scored the other EHS goals. Assists were provided by Isabella Quintana, Anna Gorham, Millinor (2), Talham and Someya.
Eastside (12-2-1) plays in the semifinals tonight against the Citrus-Bellview winner from Tuesday night.