Seahawk hoopsters win three of four

Despite the loss of its star post player, the Seahawks varsity boys basketball rallied last week to win three of four games, defeating West Gadsden, Florida High and Blountstown before losing at home to district rival Jefferson County.

School officials say sophomore Carlos Morris has been declared academically ineligible for the second semester.

“We’ve had a parent meeting with the entire varsity team about team issues and team concerns and we’ve dealt with it internally,” said coach Fred Drake. “It was a positive meeting with the administration.

“Even though there’s been a change, we’re still headed on course. That doesn’t stop our show,” said the coach. “We still have team goals and team expectations and different people just have to step up. Now roles have shifted and were still playing good ball.”

The regular season closes Thursday. Feb. 4 at home against Florida High when the seniors, and their parents, will be recognized as part of Senior Night. The ceremony will take place at the break between the junior varsity contest and the varsity tip-off, which should be sometime around 7 p.m. Five Seahawk seniors, Arron Prince, Austin O’Neal, Derick Rhodes, Tydron Wynn and Zach Jones will be honored.

The Seahawks began the week on Jan. 26 at home vs. district rival West Gadsden, and came away with a 58-50 win. O”Neal’s 25 points, and Prince’s 22, paced the team, as the Seahawks outscored West Gadsden 25-13 in the last quarter to secure the win.

Junior Adam Joseph led the team with 13 rebounds, with junior Dalin Modican pulling down a dozen.

The Seahawks will open the post-season on Feb. 12 at Liberty County, where they are expected to face West Gadsden in their district openers.

“We know we have to win that game to make the state playoffs and that will be three years in a row,” said Drake. “We got to win to get in. That’s one that we’re definitely preparing for and thinking about.”

The coach said he plans to bring up five junior varsity players, D’Andrea Robinson, Leonard Green, Chance Buffkin, A.J. Allen and Zach Peters, for the post-season roster of 15 players.

The Seahawks traveled to Florida High Jan. 28 and came away with a 52-46 win, outscoring their opponents 15-10 in the fourth quarter to pull away. O”Neal led the team with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Modican kicked in 13 points and eight rebounds and Prince added 10 points.

On Friday night at home, the Seahawks lost their one game of last week, falling 74-67 to Jefferson County. O’Neal and Prince both scored 21 points, but Jefferson County, who led 19-14 after the first quarter, kept the game out of reach.

The Seahawks pulled within two, 55-53 at the start of the final stanza, but that’s as close as they would get.

“Jefferson County had their whole starting lineup coming back,” said Drake. “They have one of the best guards in the Big Bend, Chris Mays. I knew it was going to a tough game.”

The Seahawks won Tuesday night at home, downing Blountstown 59-47, led by O’Neal’s 23 points. Their record is now 14-8.

Jan. 26 vs. West Gadsden

West Gadsden   10  9  18  13 – 50

Franklin Co.        18  9    6   25 – 58

SEAHAWKS: Arron Prince 6/16 2s, 1/4 3s, 7/14 FTs, 22 pts.; Dalin Modican 0/2 2s, 2/2 FT, 2 pts.; Michael Turner 1/2 2s, Adam Joseph 4/7 2s, 8 pts.; Austin O’Neal 8/19 2s, 0/1 3s, 8/13 FTs, 25 pts.; Zach Jones 0/1 2s

Totals: 19/47 2s, 1/5 3s, 17/20 (85%) FTs

Rebounds: Joseph 13; Modican 12; O’Neal 9; Prince, Winfield 8; Turner 5; Te-kale Turrell 4; Tydron Wynn

Steals: Modican, Prince 3; Turrell, O’Neal 2; Joseph, Winfield

Assists: Turrell, O’Neal 3; Modican 2; Winfield

Jan. 28 @ Florida High

Franklin Co.     11  13  13  15 – 52

Florida High     15   9   12  10 – 46

SEAHAWKS: Prince 5/7 2s, 0/5 3s, 10 pts.; Modican 5/5 2s, 3/4 FT, 13 pts.; James Winfield 0/1 2s; Tydron Wynn 0/1 3s; Joseph 1/2 2s, 2 pts; O’Neal 6/18 2s, 1/3 3s, 10/15 FTs, 25 pts.; Derick Rhodes; Tre’kale Turrell, 1/1 2s, 2 pts.

Totals: 18/34 2s, 1/9 3s, 13/19 (68%) FTs

Rebounds: O’Neal, Modican 8; Turrell 5; Prince, Joseph 3; Wynn, Rhodes

Steals: Prince 4; Turrell 3; Joseph, Modican, Winfield 2; O’Neal

Assists: O’Neal, Prince 4; Turrell 3; Modican 2; Winfield, Joseph

Jan. 29 vs. Jefferson Co.

Jefferson Co.  19  20  16  19 – 74

Franklin Co.     14  19  16  18 – 67

SEAHAWKS: Prince 6/11 2s, 3/11 3s, 0/3 FTs, 21 pts; Modican 4/10 2s, 4/6 FT, 12 pts.; Winfield 4/6 2s, 0/1 FTs, 8 pts.; Joseph 1/1 2s, 0/2 FTs, 2 pts; O’Neal 7/19 2s, 0/1 3s, 7/7 FTs, 21 pts.; Turrell, 1/2 2s, 1/2 FTs, 3 pts.; Jones 0/1 2s

Totals: 23/50 2s, 3/12 3s, 12/30 (40%) FTs

Rebounds: O’Neal 7; Modican 6; Prince, Winfield 4; Joseph, Turner, Jones 3

Steals: Prince, O’Neal 4; Joseph, Modican, Winfield

Assists: Prince 4; O’Neal, Jones 2; Joseph, Modican, Turner, Turrell, Wynn