2025 BATV: Day 1 Recap
Posted on 12/30/2025Middleton, Fla. – The 12th annual Battle at The Villages got underway with a flurry of action Monday in Middleton.
Bartow (Bartow, Fla.), St. Mary’s (Phoenix, Ariz.), McCallie School (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and The Villages each picked up victories in the three-day event’s opening round, advancing to Tuesday’s championship semifinal round.
De La Salle Institute (Chicago, Ill.), Upper Arlington (Columbus, Ohio), Victory Christian (Lakeland, Fla.) and East Hall (Gainesville, Ga.) each bounced over to the consolation bracket with losses on Day 1.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
BARTOW 92, DE LA SALLE 67
Ja’Kylen Crossley knocked down eight 3-pointers en route to a game-high 30 points, as Bartow defeated De La Salle, 92-67, to open the 2025 tournament. Derwyn Link also scored 26 points for the Yellow Jackets, while Stephen Dixon tallied 22 points to lead the Meteors.
ST. MARY’S 59, UPPER ARLINGTON 51
Cam Williams recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead St. Mary’s past Upper Arlington late for a 59-51 win in the second game of the day. Mick Riordan also scored 22 points for the Knights, while three players (Hayden Henry, Brody Lorrison and Luke Mitchell) finished in double figures for the Golden Bears.
MCCALLIE 78, VICTORY CHRISTIAN 70
McCallie School erased a 17-point deficit in the second half to roar back and knock off Victory Christian, 78-70, to advance onto the semifinals. Ryan Wingard (20 points) and Trell Knight (18) led the comeback effort for the Blue Tornado, while Tucker Fox had a game-high 22 points for the Storm.
THE VILLAGES 85, EAST LAKE 28
The host Buffalo started their BATV title defense in dominant fashion, securing the largest margin of victory in tournament history with an 85-28 win over East Lake. Jadence Kennedy scored a career-high 16 points to lead The Villages, who opened the game on a 26-0 run.
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
Consolation Semifinal #1: De La Salle vs. Upper Arlington, 1 p.m.
Consolation Semifinal #2: Victory Christian vs. East Lake, 3 p.m.
Championship Semifinal #1: Bartow vs. St. Mary’s, 5 p.m.
Championship Semifinal #2: McCallie vs. The Villages, 7 p.m.