Clearwater, Fla. — Ben Koubek saved his best for last to lift The Villages High School boys basketball team to its first win of the season Tuesday at the Buckshot O'Brien Classic in Clearwater. 

The senior guard scored six points in the extra period of a 52-50 overtime win — including the game-winning shot as time expired — as the Buffalo outlasted Wharton (Tampa) in a neutral-site thriller on the campus of Calvary Christian High School. 

VHS (1-1) led at the end of each of the first three quarters, before Wharton (0-2) made a push late in the fourth on the strength of junior Nick Womack's seven points in the final period to force overtime. 

But that's when Koubek turned it on even later, scoring four quick points before setting up for the winner on the final possession. Koubek, known as "Big Shot Ben" within the Buffalo locker room, dribbled toward the free-throw line and was met there by Womack, before spinning and firing a fadeaway shot that rattled home as the horn sounded.

Jomar Bernard scored a game-high 17 points to pace the Buffalo, while Koubek and Chris Washington Jr. each finished with 13 points. 

The Villages will return to action at 8 p.m. Saturday against Olympia in the Florida Get Down event at the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center in Orlando. 


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