Forest boys cruise past Lake Weir, 57-32.

Forest’s head coach, Mike Hoffmann, works with his players on the bench as they play Lake Weir during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

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Posted January 24, 2022 | By Joel Bronson

joel@ocalagazette.com

The Forest Wildcats boys’ basketball team came out hot against the Lake Weir Hurricanes on Monday night, scoring early and often on the way to a big 57-32 victory.

Forest started the game on a 10-1 run and quickly solved the Lake Weir 1-3-1 defense. The Wildcats ended the first quarter with a 19-7 lead.

The Wildcats increased their lead behind two 3-point buckets by sophomore guard Xzavion McCoy and the stellar post play of junior center Naylan Rhem.

McCoy finished the game with 13 points and three rebounds, while Rhem led Forest with 14 points and eight rebounds.

Forest would open the second half with a 13-4 run and never look back.

The Hurricanes were led by senior standout forward Tyrone Smith, who scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.

Junior guard Jordan Gimenez chipped in 15 points and three rebounds for Lake Weir.

Forest head coach Mike Hoffmann credited Coach Surber for the streak Lake Weir was on.

“Coach Surber is doing a great job, winning 13 in a row is extremely impressive,” Hoffmann said.

Hoffmann was pleased with his team’s effort against a talented in-county team.

“We as a group have always talked about playing well and we did that tonight,” Hoffmann said. “County games are always a great matchup and to play well against a county opponent is even better.”

Lake Weir head coach Mike Surber gave credit to Forest for ending their winning streak.

“We are on a good run, but that’s a good Forest team,” Surber said. “They were just better than we were tonight.

With the loss, Lake Weir drops to 14-4 on the season. The Hurricanes will travel to East Ridge on Tuesday with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Forest improves to 15-6 with the win. The Wildcats will host a tough Williston squad on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.