Sharks top Cougars

Nick Sforza scored four of his eight points in the final minute and Gulf Coast pulled out a 62-58 victory over Barron Collier at the Class 5A District 15 tournament in Fort Myers on Wednesday.

With the Sharks (12-13) ahead by five, Barron Collier’s Stephen Samouce drained a 3-pointer to cut the lead to two. But Sforza answered with a 3-pointer.

After Barron’s Matt Clements cut the lead to three, Sforza was fouled with three seconds left and made 1 of 2 free throws for the final margin.

“It was just a really hard-fought game,” Gulf Coast coach Adam Hale said.

J.J. Neely scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds, and James Folker had 12 points and 11 rebounds for Gulf Coast, which plays Cape Coral in the semifinals Friday at 6 and has won four in a row.

The Sharks are 7-4 since a trip to North Carolina to play two top teams.

“It really gelled the team together,” Hale said.

Clements had 17 points for Barron Collier. Samouce and David Huprich added 12 apiece and Dan Cheek had 10.

GULF COAST: 62 -- BARRON COLLIER: 58

GULF COAST (62)

Dunko 0 2-2 2, Neely 4 10-12 19, Snyder 2 3-5 7, Stevens 1 1-2 3, Folker 3 6-8 12, Sforza 2 3-6 8, Haight 3 4-4 11. Totals 14 29-39 62.

BARRON COLLIER (58)

Samouce 4 0-2 12, Berry 0 0-0 0, Clements 7 1-2 17, Jacob 1 0-0 2, Huprich 4 2-2 12, Caputo 0 0-0 0, Williams 1 1-3 3, Cheek 3 3-5 10, McDonald 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 7-14 58.

Gulf Coast: 12 - 14 - 14 - 22 — 62

Barron: 12 - 17 - 11 - 18 — 58

Three-pointers: Gulf Coast — Neely, Sforza, Haight; Barron Collier — Samouce 4, Clements 2, Huprich 2, Cheek; Team Fouls: Gulf Coast 20, Barron Collier 26; Fouled out: Clements, Folker, Cheek; Technicals: None.