The Mariner Tritons and Island Coast Gators can refer to themselves as road warriors as they prepare to play their first games away from home in the boys’ basketball regional playoffs.

“We hope it is a good bus ride so we can get there and get acquainted with the setting,” said Tritons coach James Harris. “These guys probably only played one time at Barron Collier before, so we want to get used to the environment.”

The Gators have never been on a road trip this long, said coach Greg Coleman.

The Tritons (19-8) were sent on the road for the Region 4A-3 quarterfinals after Saturday’s 45-42 loss to Fort Myers in the District 4A-11 championship game.

“We watched the film and saw our mistakes,” said Harris. “We have to learn from those mistakes. In the playoffs anything can happen, but I like the idea that we’ve played them and know what they do.”

The Tritons beat Barron Collier 38-33 in the final game of the regular season, but it came on the Tritons’ court.

“We can’t go 6-of-15 at the free throw line like we did Saturday,” Harris said. “Our execution at the end cost us and we gave away too many second-chance points.”

Fort Myers senior Theo Speas scored the final six points, including two layups in the final 1:20 Saturday night. Speas’ last layup with 22 seconds remaining provided the final margin of victory.

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.

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.

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.

The Tritons went on a 9-0 run to start the third quarter to take a 29-26 lead. The Wave answered with a 7-0 run to lead 31-29 heading into the final quarter.

The Green Wave (18-10) host Immokalee Thursday in their Region 4A-3 quarterfinal matchup.

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.

Bishop Verot 69, Island Coast 41: Island Coast is one of just three LCAC teams left in the regional playoffs – with Fort Myers and Mariner – despite losing to Bishop Verot in the District 3A-12 championship game Saturday night.

“Our energy Wednesday against Dunbar was like night and day compared to what we had against Bishop Verot,” said Coleman. “We knew we had to win (Wednesday) or the season was over. Now we get back to that.”

The Gators (13-14) travel to Wachula to face Hardee County Thursday in the Region 3A-3 quarterfinal round.

“I’ve been all around the area at other schools, but never been to Wachula,” said Coleman. “Being a small town we’re anticipating a hostile crowd, but it was a hostile crowd at Port Charlotte, too. We’re definitely preparing for that. It’ll be a learning experience.”

While the Gators rack up some mileage, as district champion Verot stays home to face Bradenton Southeast in the quarterfinals.

The Vikings were led to victory by the game-high 24 points of senior Nate Howard, who had 15 of those points in the first half when they opened a 33-19 advantage.

“It was like we were at Disney World for the first time,” said Coleman. “I think we were somewhat taken by the atmosphere of a championship game than we were trying to win the game. It was like we were just happy to be there.”

Kyle Harding and Jason Morris led the Gators with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Island Coast 11 8 9 13 – 41

Bishop Verot 16 17 18 20 – 69

ISLAND COAST 41 – Francois 4, Dal Bon 3, Harding 11, Rees 9, Morris 10, Cruz 4. Totals: 11 13-19 41.

3PG: Harding 3, Rees 1, Morris 2.

VEROT 69 – Wagner 5, Taylor 12, Hoop 6, Williams 2, Doyle 14, Howard 24. Totals: 21 6-8 69.

3PG: Wagner 1, Howard 4.