Senior Theo Speas scored the final six points, including two layups in the final 1:20 of the game, to help the Fort Myers Green Wave win another District 4A-11 boys’ basketball championship Saturday night.

Speas hit a layup with 22 seconds remaining to provide the final margin in the Wave’s 45-42 victory over the Mariner Tritons.

Needing a three-pointer to tie the game, the Tritons never got a good look at a three as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Senior Nick Marrero threw up an off-balance shot inside the three-point arc just before the buzzer that was well off the mark.

“We were not a good defensive team all year,” said Green Wave coach Scott Guttery. “We did tonight. We got a couple of baskets and defensive stops down the stretch.”

With four minutes left in the game, the Tritons seemed content to take time off the clock with only a few points separating them from a possible upset. Justin Emmons’ three-pointer with 3:28 remaining put the Tritons in front 38-37.

A short jumpshot in the paint by 6-foot-10 sophomore Rudy Zahorchak with 3:18 left put the Green Wave in front for good 39-38. It was the last of eight lead changes in the game.

“I think no one wanted to take a chance,” Tritons coach James Harris said of the late slowdown. “And we gave up a couple of easy buckets late.”

The biggest lead for the Green Wave was eight points, 24-16, with three minutes left in the second quarter. The Tritons scored the final four points of the half to trail 24-20 at intermission.

After the Wave scored the first basket of the third quarter, the Tritons went on a 9-0 run to take a 29-26 lead. The Wave answered with a 7-0 run to lead 31-29 heading into the final quarter.

Sophomore Rick Moore came off the bench to hit a pair of three-pointers to open the fourth quarter to tie the game at 35-35 before both teams decided to keep it a one- or two-possession game down the stretch.

“They are a good team,” Guttery said of Mariner. “I’m impressed with the way they have adjusted their play. They play to their strengths now, from the first time we played them.”

The Green Wave (18-10) will host Immokalee Thursday night in the Region 4A-3 quarterfinal round while the Tritons (19-10) must travel to Barron Collier.

“We have to go play a tough Collier team that we beat just last week,” said Harris. “I think everyone in this gym tonight realizes that we could win this game.”

If both the Wave and Tritons win on Thursday, they will go at it again on Feb. 22 in the regional semifinal round.

Mariner 11 9 9 13 – 42

Fort Myers 12 12 9 12 – 45

MARINER 42 – Stamps 6, Bender 2, Moore 6, Guerrier 7, Ferrara 12, Emmons 9. Totals: 15 6-15 42.

3PG: Stamps 2, Moore 2, Guerrier 1, Emmons 1.

FT. MYERS 45 – Speas 9, Zahorchak 4, Graham 9, Yance 13, Therrien 8, Whitfield 2. Totals: 19 3-4 45.

3PG: Graham 1, Yance 3.