Nature Coast Tech rallies from 21-9 hole to beat Central Bears 46-38

Nature Coast Tech turned a tense early contest into a decisive home victory Friday night, rallying from a 21-9 first-half deficit to post a 46-38 win over the Central Bears. The comeback, completed after the break, highlighted the Sharks’ ability to shift momentum and close out a tight game as postseason play approaches.

Central seized control early, building the 21-9 advantage that threatened to put Nature Coast on its heels. The Sharks narrowed the gap late in the first half and then asserted themselves in the second half with improved execution on both ends. Nature Coast’s balanced response and defensive adjustments prevented Central from re-establishing a double-digit lead.

Junior guard Blake Johnson paced the Sharks with a team-high 18 points, accounting for just under 40 percent of Nature Coast’s 46-point total. Aveion Jackson made several decisive plays in the closing minutes that helped maintain the edge and secure the final margin. The victory carried added meaning when a midgame injury to forward AJ Ramsaroop forced the Sharks to adapt rotations and rely on bench depth.

Coaching staff credited the team’s composure after the early hole and following Ramsaroop’s injury, calling the performance a strong sign of resilience as Nature Coast prepares for the postseason. The way the Sharks responded to adversity suggested a roster capable of managing pressure and shifting momentum in playoff-style contests.

For local fans and the Hernando County community, Friday’s win serves as both entertainment and an indicator of the program’s trajectory. A comeback like this can strengthen team confidence and deepen community support heading into a critical stretch of the season. While the final regular-season standings and playoff seedings remain to be decided, Nature Coast’s performance against Central provided a timely boost.

The Sharks will look to build on the home victory in their next outings, focusing on maintaining second-half intensity and managing player health as they aim for postseason success.