EUSTIS — Reggie Burnett scored 28 points and Wesley Green added 18 Friday to lead Eustis to a 66-41 win against South Sumter in Class 3A, District 7 boys basketball.
Eustis jumped out to a 10-0 advantage with the help of a full-court press that forced several turnovers. Burnett and Green combined for 10 points in the opening quarter. Several points resulted from offensive rebounds.
The Panthers (19-4, 6-0) then stepped it up again on defense to start the second quarter. They held South Sumter scoreless for the first 4:32 of the period while going on another 10-0 run to take a 28-15 lead at the intermission.
“We wanted to defend our home court and play well in front of our home fans,” Eustis Coach James Presley said.
South Sumter (8-8, 3-4) couldn’t find answers to Eustis’ offense or defense.
“They dictated the play in the game from the start. They pushed us back so we couldn’t run our offense,” South Sumter Coach Keith Hileman said. “They looked like they wanted to prove the point that they are the number one seed in the district for a reason.”
In the second half, South Sumter went to a full-court press, but Burnett scored 11 of his points in the third quarter.
“Our intensity was fine for about three quarters,” Presley said. “I was not happy with one little spurt when our reserves were on the floor. When we get out on the court, we want to play hard no matter who is out there. But the guys finished the game out and we are glad to get the win.”
Eustis played without starting guard Jimmy Hudson, who sat out with a twisted ankle.
South Sumter was led by Marcus Auman, Earl Everett and Mike Maner with 11 points each. Joe Burnett added 10 points for Eustis.
