Game of the Week: Forest boys host Wildwood in a battle of the Wildcats

Forest’s Zay McCoy (0) shoots over City of Life Christian Academy’s Angel Chamblin (5) during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

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Posted January 6, 2022 | By Joel Bronson

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The Forest Wildcats are set to host Wildwood, also the Wildcats, for a non-district showdown Friday night.

Both squads spent part of their Christmas breaks playing in holiday tournaments.

Forest participated in the Mosley High School Holiday Hoopfest in Panama City Beach the last week of Christmas break, where they won two of three contests.

Wildwood also played holiday tournament games, as they participated in the Kingdom of the Sun holiday tournament at Vanguard High School. Wildwood lost both of their games in the double-elimination tournament.

Forest is led by talented sophomore point guard X’zavion McCoy, who is averaging 9.8 points and 6.8 assists per contest.

Junior forward Naylan Rhem is averaging 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game for Forest.

Wildwood junor forward Zechariah Poyser leads his team in scoring with 16.4 points per game. Poyser also leads Wildwood in assists with 3.9 per game.

Forest head coach Mike Hoffmann is excited to play the out-of-county Wildcats.

“We have been talking about taking a next step in January and really focusing on competing for a district championship,” Hoffmann said. “This Friday against Wildwood is another opportunity for us to prove that.”

“Wildwood is a really tough opponent and they will be looking to beat us at home,” he added.

Tip-off between Forest and Wildwood is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Forest High School gym.