Seahawks down Bay, head for Georgia tourney

Bay coach Michael Grady was hoping that scheduling Franklin County four days prior to the Tornadoes hosting the Barnstorm Christmas Classic might give his team some momentum heading into the 10th annual holiday tournament.

Instead, a 58-46 loss to the Seahawks Dec. 22 might have given him a few more question marks.

Bay (5-4) suffered two critical defensive lapses, the second after clawing within four points with 2:54 seconds left. Franklin County, which had a run of 11 consecutive points to erase Bay’s biggest lead in the second quarter, scored 10 straight the second time to put away the Tornadoes.

As far as Grady was concerned, however, his team was lacking on the defensive end throughout. “We got outhustled,” he said. “Our defensive intensity wasn’t there all night. We were a step slow.”

Coach Fred Drake said it was another example of the Seahawks stepping up against the tough teams, “We get up for the harder teams and a little complacent for the less talented teams,” he said. “Bay knew Mosley had beat us. They thought we were down.

“The last two games we finally played some good defense,” said Drake, referring to the earlier win over Jefferson County. “These are our best two defensive performances and now the kids realize what can happen when you play great defense like they’re supposed to.”

Franklin County used 28 points from 6-foot-6 sophomore Carlos Morris, 15 from senior Austin O’Neal and 11 from junior Marcus Allen to improve to 6-3.

Morris shrugged off a subpar shooting night, he was 0 for 7 from the floor in the first quarter, to finish 11-for-30 and added 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

He got into the flow in the second quarter after Bay had built its largest lead at 19-12. Morris had seven of his 13 first-half points from that stage, and the Seahawks led 27-23 at the half.

“His last two games have been how I expect him to play, his best two games of the season,” said Drake. “He’s not really limping anymore. He’s close to 90 percent now, and not favoring that foot.”

The Tornadoes opened in a three-guard set that was more the result of disciplinary action against some players, Grady said, than a shift in strategy.

Bay fired away from the outside, but only was able to net four of 25 3-point attempts. All of the makes were by Kenny Jones, who had a team-high 22 points. Alex Hamilton added 10.

“We had to play good man-to-man to take away three-point shots,” said Drake.

Still, the Tornadoes were within 48-44 with 2:54 remaining. That was the result of a brief defensive surge, with Kelvin Russell scoring in transition and Hamilton’s steal leading to his assist on David Jones’ bucket.

But that was as close as Bay could get. Morris scored inside, hit the front end of the bonus, and then Allen nailed the 1-and-1 and a 3-pointer from the left wing with Drake imploring his team to run some clock.

By that time it was 56-44, and O’Neal finished off 10 straight points moments later with two more free throws.

With senior Arron Prince ill for the last two games, Allen has started, and Drake said he’s getting the hang of it. “He’s coming along,” he said. “I’m asking him to play defense and not turn the ball over as a point guard. He’s played good defense.”

In addition, junior James Winfield has moved into the starting lineup, with junior Modican rounding out the five.

In the junior varsity game, Bay won 51-46, with junior Adam Joseph tallying 16 and sophomore A.J. Allen 15 for Franklin County.

A.J. Allen, along with sophomore Chance Buffkin, were among the 11-player squad that left Monday morning for Columbus, Ga for the annual William Henry Shaw Christmas tournament. Not making the trip were seniors Zachary Jones, Tydron Wynn and Prince.

The Seahawks are seeded fourth in the tournament, and after practicing Monday evening, were slated to play Columbus (Ga.) Hardaway on Tuesday afternoon.

“This tournament is for the guys,” said Drake. “There’s no guarantee we’re going to make it to Lakeland. It may be their only chance to play in front of scouts all year.”

Apalachicola Times City Editor David Adlerstein assisted with this story.

FRANKLIN

Marcus Allen 4 2-2 11, Carlos Morris 11 4-5 28, James Winfield 1 0-0 2, Austin O’Neal 4 7-10 15, Trekale Turrell 1 0-0 2, Zachary Jones 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 13-17 58.

BAY (46)

D. Jones 2 0-0 4, O. Russ 2 0-0 4, Russell 2 0-0 4, K. Jones 9 0-0 22, McAllister 1 0-0 2, Hamilton 2 6-8 10, Baxstresser 0 0-0 0, Felton 0 0-0 0, K. Russ 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 6-8 46.

Franklin          6  21  11 20 – 58

Bay                 9  15  13   9 – 46

3-point goals: FRANKLIN: 3 (Morris 2, Allen), BAY 4 (K. Jones 4).

Total fouls: FRANKLIN 10, BAY 14. Fouled out: Bay (Russell).

A11 SEABASKETBAY, with 2-3 COLOR pics

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TERRY BARNER | Florida Freedom

Seahawks junior Marcus Allen scoops up a loose ball in action vs. Bay High Dec. 22

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TERRY BARNER | Florida Freedom

Bay High's Kyree Baxstresser, center, is surrounded by Franklin County's Dalin Modican, left, and James Winfield during the first half of their game at Bay Dec. 22.

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TERRY BARNER | Florida Freedom

Franklin County's Austin O’Neal drives against Bay High in their game Dec. 22.

Seahawks down Bay, head for Georgia tourney

By Pat McCann

Florida Freedom

Bay coach Michael Grady was hoping that scheduling Franklin County four days prior to the Tornadoes hosting the Barnstorm Christmas Classic might give his team some momentum heading into the 10th annual holiday tournament.

Instead, a 58-46 loss to the Seahawks Dec. 22 might have given him a few more question marks.

Bay (5-4) suffered two critical defensive lapses, the second after clawing within four points with 2:54 seconds left. Franklin County, which had a run of 11 consecutive points to erase Bay’s biggest lead in the second quarter, scored 10 straight the second time to put away the Tornadoes.

As far as Grady was concerned, however, his team was lacking on the defensive end throughout. “We got outhustled,” he said. “Our defensive intensity wasn’t there all night. We were a step slow.”

Coach Fred Drake said it was another example of the Seahawks stepping up against the tough teams, “We get up for the harder teams and a little complacent for the less talented teams,” he said. “Bay knew Mosley had beat us. They thought we were down.

“The last two games we finally played some good defense,” said Drake, referring to the earlier win over Jefferson County. “These are our best two defensive performances and now the kids realize what can happen when you play great defense like they’re supposed to.”

Franklin County used 28 points from 6-foot-6 sophomore Carlos Morris, 15 from senior Austin O’Neal and 11 from junior Marcus Allen to improve to 6-3.

Morris shrugged off a subpar shooting night, he was 0 for 7 from the floor in the first quarter, to finish 11-for-30 and added 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

He got into the flow in the second quarter after Bay had built its largest lead at 19-12. Morris had seven of his 13 first-half points from that stage, and the Seahawks led 27-23 at the half.

“His last two games have been how I expect him to play, his best two games of the season,” said Drake. “He’s not really limping anymore. He’s close to 90 percent now, and not favoring that foot.”

The Tornadoes opened in a three-guard set that was more the result of disciplinary action against some players, Grady said, than a shift in strategy.

Bay fired away from the outside, but only was able to net four of 25 3-point attempts. All of the makes were by Kenny Jones, who had a team-high 22 points. Alex Hamilton added 10.

“We had to play good man-to-man to take away three-point shots,” said Drake.

Still, the Tornadoes were within 48-44 with 2:54 remaining. That was the result of a brief defensive surge, with Kelvin Russell scoring in transition and Hamilton’s steal leading to his assist on David Jones’ bucket.

But that was as close as Bay could get. Morris scored inside, hit the front end of the bonus, and then Allen nailed the 1-and-1 and a 3-pointer from the left wing with Drake imploring his team to run some clock.

By that time it was 56-44, and O’Neal finished off 10 straight points moments later with two more free throws.

With senior Arron Prince ill for the last two games, Allen has started, and Drake said he’s getting the hang of it. “He’s coming along,” he said. “I’m asking him to play defense and not turn the ball over as a point guard. He’s played good defense.”

In addition, junior James Winfield has moved into the starting lineup, with junior Modican rounding out the five.

In the junior varsity game, Bay won 51-46, with junior Adam Joseph tallying 16 and sophomore A.J. Allen 15 for Franklin County.

A.J. Allen, along with sophomore Chance Buffkin, were among the 11-player squad that left Monday morning for Columbus, Ga for the annual William Henry Shaw Christmas tournament. Not making the trip were seniors Zachary Jones, Tydron Wynn and Prince.

The Seahawks are seeded fourth in the tournament, and after practicing Monday evening, were slated to play Columbus (Ga.) Hardaway on Tuesday afternoon.

“This tournament is for the guys,” said Drake. “There’s no guarantee we’re going to make it to Lakeland. It may be their only chance to play in front of scouts all year.”

Apalachicola Times City Editor David Adlerstein assisted with this story.

FRANKLIN

Marcus Allen 4 2-2 11, Carlos Morris 11 4-5 28, James Winfield 1 0-0 2, Austin O’Neal 4 7-10 15, Trekale Turrell 1 0-0 2, Zachary Jones 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 13-17 58.

BAY (46)

D. Jones 2 0-0 4, O. Russ 2 0-0 4, Russell 2 0-0 4, K. Jones 9 0-0 22, McAllister 1 0-0 2, Hamilton 2 6-8 10, Baxstresser 0 0-0 0, Felton 0 0-0 0, K. Russ 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 6-8 46.

Franklin          6  21  11 20 – 58

Bay                 9  15  13   9 – 46

3-point goals: FRANKLIN: 3 (Morris 2, Allen), BAY 4 (K. Jones 4).

Total fouls: FRANKLIN 10, BAY 14. Fouled out: Bay (Russell).