Staff Reports

FREEPORT, Fla. – A 28-14 third-quarter run helped the Spring Garden Lady Panthers capture the Sandestin Basketball Blowout championship Thursday evening over Navarre, Fla. The final was 66-49.

Neely Welsh was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after she scored 28 points, including three 3-pointers, to go along with three assists and three steals. All-tournament selection Ace Austin added 12 points, including a pair of treys, along with 12 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Sarah Kate McKay, another all-tournament selection, contributed 11 points, three boards and a steal.

Kayley Kirk collected nine points and four rebounds. Abbey Steward sank a pair of treys and finished with six points, two steals and a block.

Spring Garden sank nine 3-pointers in the game. The Lady Panthers led 18-8 at the end of the first quarter and 30-25 at halftime. Their third-quarter surge helped them go out in front 58-39.

In boys action, Spring Garden lost in the fifth/sixth place game to Forsyth, Ga., 44-31.

Cam Welsh led the Panthers with 10 points, seven rebounds, three steals, three blocks and an assist. Jacob Welsh added eight points, six boards and a block.