Central High Boys Basketball Tops Gulf, Shows Poise in Tight Win

Brooksville. Central High picked up a hard fought 58-55 victory over Gulf on December 9, a game that provided an early test of the Bears resilience and growth after opening the season with four relatively easy wins. The matchup featured a full court press from Gulf and frequent pressure defense, forcing Central to make key plays in the second half to preserve the lead.

Central leaned on a balanced scoring attack to close out the game. Prospero finished with 19 points and nine rebounds. Xavier Hagele added 12 points and Canales scored 11. Joseph Greene contributed nine points, nine rebounds and two steals. Gulf entered the game with a 5-2 record and an offense averaging 76.7 points per game, despite only one player averaging double figures at 10.3 points per game. The Buccaneers also average 20.5 steals per game and deploy a relentless press that tests ball handling and conditioning.

Coach Jeff D'Angelo framed the win as a milestone for a team maturing under new leadership and veteran presence. “It just solidifies a young team that learned how to win some close games,” he said. He also noted the work still ahead. “… The good news is we still find a way to win. It makes it a lot easier to swallow when you don’t play your best and you still find a way to win. But there’s still a lot to clean up. We made a lot of mistakes. That’s a great Gulf team and they pressured us, and we definitely didn’t handle it perfect. So there’s room for improvement and that’s where the good news is. There’s room to get better still. We’re not there yet.”

D'Angelo also praised Gulf's athleticism and described Central's tactical approach. “They’re the most athletic team we’ve seen by far,” D'Angelo said. “We have a couple athletic kids, and they overmatch us that way. So we tried to play basketball and be a little more strategic. So definitely a big challenge they present for us.”

Beyond the box score, games like this have broader implications for Hernando County. Competitive high school sports promote physical activity, social connection and mental health among students, while wins like this lift school and community morale. At the same time the contest highlights equity issues, because access to quality coaching, facilities and athletic training resources can vary widely across schools. For Central the victory offers momentum and a rallying point for students, families and local supporters as the season advances, and it underscores the value of investing in youth sports as part of community health and wellbeing.