Barron Collier wins Collier County conference title over rival Naples

Barron Collier wins Collier County conference title over rival Naples

NAPLES, FLORIDA – After years of steady improvement, the Barron Collier boys basketball team is on top of Collier County this year.

The Cougars solidified their position among the area’s best by winning a conference championship on Friday night. Barron Collier (14-4) blew past rival Naples High, winning 92-68 in the Collier County Athletic Conference tournament finals.

Not only did the Cougars beat the team that was the past few CCAC titles, but they did it on Naples’ home court in front of the disappointed Golden Eagles fans.

“I’ve never won here so it feels great,” Barron Collier senior Bryce Clayton said. “It’s great for our program, great for our team, great for Coach (David) Watts and I couldn’t be happier.”

The Cougars trailed 12-9 after the first quarter. But then Barron Collier found its rhythm and took over with its up-and-down style of fast breaks and quick 3-pointers.

Barron went on to score 27 points or more in each of the final three quarters. The Cougars scored 83 points in the final 24 minutes of game time.

Clayton, in particular, got going in the second half.

After going scoreless in the first quarter and netting four points in the second period, Clayton caught fire after halftime. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard scored 23 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 27. He made five 3-pointers, including four in the third quarter.

The Cougars sank 14 3s on the night, including 13 in the final three quarters.

“It’s the most fun, man,” Clayton said of Barron Collier’s high-scoring playing style. “I’ve been playing with these boys since fifth grade. We got the best chemistry. Everybody plays their role and we just have fun out there every single night.”

The Cougars have continued getting better under Watts. Barron Collier increased his win total in each of Watts’ first three seasons and is on pace to do it again this year. The team won a district championship and made it to the regional finals last season after going 15-65 the three season before Watts arrived.

Noah French scored 14 points for Barron Collier on Friday, including five 3-pointers. Mike Reyes added 16 points, while Spencer Clayton chipped in 11.

The Cougars are 7-1 against Collier County opponents this season, including a win last week over previously undefeated Palmetto Ridge.

Barron Collier’s only loss to a county rival was a 59-56 loss to Gulf Coast when Bryce Clayton didn’t play. The Cougars face Gulf Coast again on Tuesday.

Naples (10-6) hung around with Barron Collier for most of the first three quarters. The Eagles trailed by just 10 points with a minute left in the third. However, the Cougars used a 13-4 run to stretch their lead to 19 early in the fourth.

Jaden Wolner led Naples with 22 points. Marques Leon hit four 3s and scored 16 for the Eagles, while Adrian Llamo added 13.

See similar https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5zY29yZWJvb2tsaXZlLmNvbS9mbG9yaWRhLzIwMjMvMDEvMTQvYmFycm9uLWNvbGxpZXItd2lucy1jb2xsaWVyLWNvdW50eS1jb25mZXJlbmNlLXRpdGxlLW92ZXItcml2YWwtbmFwbGVz0gF8aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNjb3JlYm9va2xpdmUuY29tLy5hbXAvZmxvcmlkYS8yMDIzLzAxLzE0L2JhcnJvbi1jb2xsaWVyLXdpbnMtY29sbGllci1jb3VudHktY29uZmVyZW5jZS10aXRsZS1vdmVyLXJpdmFsLW5hcGxlcw?oc=5

The post Barron Collier wins Collier County conference title over rival Naples first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

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