With Hialeah Gardens 6-5 scoring machine Adrian Gonzalez having his way against American Heritage, the Patriots turned to their new 6-5 defensive ace, Jason Massey, to put out the fire.

Gonzalez finished with a game-high 22 points, but Massey held Gonzalez in check throughout the fourth quarter as the Patriots (6-1, No. 9 in the RMF Magazine South Florida poll) pulled away from a tenuous 20-17 halftime lead and beat the reigning Class 8A state champion Gladiators 61-48 at the Hoop Exchange Southern Series at Sagemont on Friday night.

“At halftime, we went to a triangle and two; Gonzalez was their main scorer,” Massey said. “I just did what I had to do and stopped him. That gives me the confidence I can guard anybody.”

Massey also came up big on the offensive end after back-to-back baskets by Hialeah Gardens’ Henry Leonardo brought the Gladiators (7-2) within 45-41 with 5:05 left.

Massey scored six of his eight fourth-quarter points to help seal the victory for the Patriots, who host state power Dillard in a highly anticipated district matchup Saturday.

Kobe Eubanks led Heritage with 15 points, Drake Lamont added 14 and Keyshawn Evans scored all 11 of his points in the pivotal second half. Joshua Sanchez had 10 points for the Gladiators.

•  Hoops Exchange Southern Series – American Heritage 61, Hialeah Gardens 48 – HG (7-2): A. Gonzalez 22, Simoza 3, Joshua Sanchez 10, Huertas 5, Leonardo 8. AH (6-1): Justin Massey 6, Borders 2, Evans 11, Eubanks 15, Lamont 14, Jason Massey 8, McCormick 5. Halftime: AH 20-17.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

•  Cardinal Gibbons 6, Somerset 1: Mackenzie Crittenberger 2 goals, 1 assist. Leslie Novakovic 2 goals. CG 9-1-2.

•  North Broward 8, Tampa Catholic 0: Jenna Shortridge 2 goals. Christine Creighton 1 goal, 3 assists. Nikki Giordano 1 goal, 1 assist. Rachel Blow 1 goal, 2 assists. Casey Peter 1 goal, 1 assist. Emma Dineen 1 goal. Jensen Butters 1 goal. Yasmin Ruffell-Smith 3 saves, shutout. NBP 10-4-1.

•  Chaminade 8, Archbishop Carroll 0: Bridget Callahan 4 goals. Dillion Villella 2 goals. Melissa Carrascal scored a goal. Cara McCurdy goal.

BOYS’ SOCCER

•  Pine Crest 3, Calvary 1: Jack Marchetto goal and assist. Mark Simpson goal. Jonathon Bell goal. PC 11-3-1.

•  Monarch 3, Taravella 2: MON — Gabe Menescal, Eddie Almeida and Arthur Cardoso one goal each. Gian Scalise 2 assists. TAR — Jose Alvaro Campuzano and Juan Torres one goal each. Mon 10-1-2.

More BOYS’ BASKETBALL

•  Western 64, West Broward 48 — WES: Lewis 6, Katz 17, Hessney 2, Artaza 19, James 11, Khan 2, Royes 7. WB: Johnson 8, Rodriguez 12, Sane, Walker 10, Dennis, Martinez 6, Rigaud 3, Cruz 7. Halftime: WES 25-25. Three-pointers: Rodriguez, Walker 2, Martinez 2, Rigaud, Artaza, James. Rebounds: James 10. Assists: James 10. Steals: Katz 4.

•  Westwood Christian 67, Chaminade-Madonna 52 — WWC(9-2): Shoon 22, Conceicao 16, Joseph 14, Ramis 12, Gonzalez 3. Three-pointers: Ramis 2, Shoon 1, Gonzalez 1, Joseph 1. Rebounds: Conceicao, Shoon 11. Steals- Shoon 6. Assists: Ramis 6.

•  Flanagan 62, Everglades 47 — Flan (8-1): S. Oramas 17, J. Oramas 6, Albano 15, Cortes 10, Morency 6, Hamilton 2, Harrigan 3. EVER: Harvey 15, Etienne 5, Stewart 6, Montero 5, Hardrick 11, Rami 5. Halftime score: Flan 26-21.

•  Late Thursday — Boyd Anderson 71, Coconut Creek 39 — BA - Jean-pierre 24,Wilson 4, Eubanks 4, MacDonald 8, jean-Felix 4, Hankerson 5, jones 6, Borgella 10, romaine 6. coconut creek - key 14, haye 4, nunsun 2, johnson 13, patterson 4. Halftime: BA 35-24. Three-pointers: jean-pierre 6, Hankerson 1. Rebounds: MacDonald 8. Assists: Jean-pierre 5. Steals: Borgella

•  Late Thursday — Calusa 73, Redlands Christian 37 — Cody Bowes 14 points, 6 rebounds. Frank Alexander 9 points, 5 assists, 4 steals. Alex Carter 10 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists.

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

American Heritage vs. Dillard (DIL), 7:30

Deerfield Beach vs. Monarch (Monarch), 7:30

Archbishop McCarthy vs. Somerset Academy (AAA), 2

Hoop Exchange Southern Series (Sagemont)

Palm Beach Lakes vs Chaminade, 3:30

Miami Norland vs Miami, 5

Tampa Catholic vs Sagemont, 6:30

Blanche Ely vs Cardinal Gibbons, 8

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

American Heritage vs. Dillard (Dillard), 6

Deerfield Beach vs. Monarch (Monarch), 6

WRESTLING

Taravella vs. Naples Gulf Coast (Naples Gulf Coast), 3

Archbishop McCarthy vs. Nova (NOVA), 10 a.m.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Sagemont vs. Hillel, 8

Hallandale vs. Key West (KW), 7

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Cardinal Gibbons vs. Melbourne (Melbourne), 11a.m.

Hallandale vs. Key West (KW), 5

North Broward Prep vs. Berkely Prep (Berkely Prep), 12