B.J. Glasford had 28 points and nine assists and the Coral Reef boys’ basketball team took an early lead in the District 16-8A race with a 77-64 win at Palmetto on Wednesday night.

The Barracudas (5-0, 4-0) led by as many as 25 in the third quarter, but had to withstand a 15-0 run by the Panthers that cut the deficit to seven with 5:48 to play. Coral Reef kept its composure, however, responding with an 8-0 run that put the game away.

With senior Cedric Hankerson — a Boston University commit and 2011 All-Dade selection — watching most of the second half from the bench because of foul trouble, Glasford had to step up.

He got hot from long distance, drilling five three-pointers, and facilitated the offense for his teammates to help build a 25-point lead.

Coral Reef coach Adam Graham never felt the outcome was in doubt, even when Palmetto came storming back.

“As long as I have B.J. or Cedric on the court, I’ll take one of those guys against anybody any day of the week,” Graham said. “We practice hard, we go at each other, it’s war all the time. We’re ready for any moment in time.”

Much like Glasford, Hankerson was feeling it from beyond the arc before he got into foul trouble. He nailed three three-pointers, all with a hand in his face, and scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half.

Kory Schulz scored 21 points for Palmetto (3-1) and Joan Povea added 17. Daniel Coffey, a 6-5 forward, had a game-high 10 rebounds.

•  Coral Reef 77, Palmetto 64 – CR (5-0): Leger 3, Glasford 28, Bargamento 10, Kalish 2, Audain 7, Peart 4, Bryan 4, Hankerson 16, Holcombe 3. PAL (3-1): Coffey 6, Koss 5, Mulett 5, Parlic 6, Povea 17, Schulz 21, Wasser 4. Halftime: CR 42-26. Three-pointers: Glasford 5, Hankerson 3, Schulz 2, Mulett. Rebounds: Coffey 10. Assists: Glasford 9. Steals: Povea 4. Blocks: Glasford 2.

FOOTBALL

Former Columbus receiver Erik Lora’s record-setting season at Eastern Illinois was recognized nationally this week. Lora set the FCS single-season record for receptions in a season with 136 catches for 1,664 yards, which was the fourth best single-season total in FCS history.

Lora was the only Ohio Valley Conference player chosen as a finalist for this year’s Walter Payton Award after earning OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He finished fourth in balloting. He opened the season with seven consecutive 100-yard receiving games, which ties for the longest streak in FCS since 2000.

WATER POLO

Former Ransom Everglades water polo standout Michael Rosenthal added his name to Southern California’s national championship tradition this past week. Rosenthal had three goals in the Trojans’ 11-10 national title win over UCLA, which clinched their fifth consecutive national championship. Rosenthal, a senior, finished with 31 goals.

VOLLEYBALL

Former Westminster Christian standout Rebecca Acevedo, a sophomore at Palm Beach Atlantic University, was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II All-America team. Acevedo, an All-Dade first team selection in high school, was selected as honorable mention after posting 1,405 assists, 177 digs, 58 kills, 49 service aces and 40 total blocks this season.

ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

• Hileah-Miami Lakes 43, Westland 37 – HML (1-6): Pickney 6, Martinez 4, Pellegrino 2, Rodgers 10, Mallard 11, Daher 1, Matamoras 2. Halftime: 20-20. Rebounds: Mallard 11. Assists: Martinez 5. Steals: Pellegrino 3.