Clearwater, Fla. — The Villages High School boys basketball team couldn't keep pace with Providence (Jacksonville) down the stretch in a 73-66 season-opening loss Monday night in Clearwater.

Chris Washington Jr. scored 23 points and Adyn Corbin added 21, but it wasn't enough as the Buffalo surrendered their opener in the Buckshot O'Brien Classic on the campus of Calvary Christian High School.

VHS (0-1 overall) dried up offensively late in the contest, making just three shots from the field in the fourth quarter, compared to seven makes over the final eight minutes of play for Providence.

Monday night's season opener was a rematch of an midseason contest between the two programs almost a year ago, when Providence rolled to a 65-23 victory on Dec. 17 in Fort Myers.

The Villages will look to bounce back at 4 p.m. Tuesday, as the Buffalo take on Wharton (Tampa) on the second and final day of the season-opening event in Pinellas County.


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org or by calling (352) 259-6890.