2025 BATV: Day 2 Recap

Middleton, Fla. – The 2025 Battle at The Villages championship matchup was set Tuesday night in Middleton.

Bartow and The Villages will square off at 7 p.m. Wednesday after both teams enjoyed semifinal victories inside the VHS Gymnasium on the campus of The Villages High School, as each squad finished off a pair of close wins.

The Yellow Jackets (Bartow, Fla.) held off a late charge from St. Mary’s (Phoenix, Ariz.) to secure a 64-61 victory in the first semifinal, before the host Buffalo (Middleton, Fla.) outlasted a spirited effort by McCallie (Chattanooga, Tenn.) in a 67-62 win in the nightcap.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
UPPER ARLINGTON 66, DE LA SALLE 46
A strong start lifted Upper Arlington to a 66-46 victory over De La Salle in the consolation semifinals. The Golden Bears held a 39-14 lead at the half and never looked back, after holding the Meteors to just four points in the second quarter. Hayden Henry and Brody Larrison had 12 points each for Upper Arlington.

VICTORY CHRISTIAN 81, EAST HALL 53
Five different players finished in double figures for Victory Christian, who ran away from East Hall in the second half of an 81-53 win. Arik Ring led the way for the Storm with 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Chasen Jones paced the Vikings with 12 points in the defeat.

BARTOW 64, ST. MARY’S 61
The Yellow Jackets advanced to the championship game behind 17 points from Ja’Kylen Crossley and a 19-6 advantage in the second quarter, as Bartow celebrated a 64-61 win over St. Mary’s. Cam Williams tallied 19 points to lead the Knights in a losing effort.

THE VILLAGES 67, MCCALLIE 62
The host Buffalo joined Bartow in the championship matchup thanks to a strong start, eventually holding on to a 67-62 win over McCallie. VHS jumped out to a 26-8 lead after one quarter and later led 40-23 at the half, before the visitors from Chattanooga made a second-half push. Herly Brutus (16 points/10 rebounds) and Aaron Britt, Jr. (14) paced the Buffalo, while Ryan Wingard had 16 points for the Blue Tornado.

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
7th Place: De La Salle vs. East Lake, 1 p.m.
5th Place: Upper Arlington vs. Victory Christian, 3 p.m.
3rd Place: St. Mary’s vs. McCallie, 5 p.m.
Championship: Bartow vs. The Villages, 7 p.m.