Seahawks slam Wakulla War Eagles 71-38

The Franklin County Seahawks were true to their word Friday night in Crawfordville, avenging a rare opening season loss by trouncing the Wakulla War Eagles 71-38.

With a score of 35-18 at intermission, the Seahawks kept the pressure on the second half, secure in the need to show that a home court defeat to Wakulla last month was a fluke, large due to the absence of the team’s premier starters.

Internet comments that bordered on bragging by the Wakulla team had angered the Seahawks squad, and with wing men senior Austin O’Neal and sophomore Carlos Morris back in the lineup, the stage was set for a robust win.

“It gave them a chance just to swagger,” said coach Fred Drake. “The kids felt good about themselves going into it. They wanted it bad.”

The team was led by a 24-point performance from O’Neal, including a dazzling 10-of-16 from the field, while Morris chipped in 18. Both had nine rebounds.

Drake said he was disappointed that the Wakulla team walked off the court before the final whistle, but stressed that his team kept their composure.

“My guys are not thugs, they’re not bad kids,” he said. “But if we ever lose a game, we’re going to come back and try to get revenge.”

Drake said his team has been goaded into fighting by frustrated opponents, but has not taken the bait.

“Nobody on my team has thrown a punch,” he said. “They know how to win with pride and they know how to lose with pride. We haven’t tried to fight everybody.

“I don’t want anybody to think we’re a big bad team,” he said. “If you can win, you have to know how to lose too.”

Drake has settled on a starting Seahawk five, which will also include senior point guard Arron Prince, junior low post player Adam Joseph and junior high post player Dalin Modican.

Junior forward Marcus Allen is a sixth man, but plenty of other players will see playing time as Drake tries to make maximum use of his talent.

Franklin County fans will have a chance to see the Seahawks in back-to-back action beginning Thursday, Dec. 10, when they face off at home against district foe Liberty County.

“Nobody knows what to expect out of Liberty,” said Drake. “Liberty is the team I’m worried about because I don’t know anything about them.”

On Saturday night, the Seahawks face the Class 4A Mosley Tornadoes at home, sure to be a barn burner.

Drake said he is the process of putting finishing touches on the team’s trip to Columbus, GA Dec. 28 through 30, when he and assistant coach Carlos Hill will accompany a dozen players to the 10-team tournament.

A Parents Support Group, led by Granville Croom, is in the process of raising money to help with hotel, food and fuel costs for the trip to the Christmas tournament. Call Croom at 653-7643 or visit Superior Bank and make a donation with the help of Olivia Wynn.

“This is the best competition we’ll see all year,” said Drake. “The college scouts will be there. It’s a chance to get looked at.

“We can compete with those teams,” he said. “We get a lot of respect there.”

If the Seahawks make it to the championship game, they’ll play at Columbus State University.

Dec. 4 vs. Wakulla

Franklin Co.   15 20 20 16 - 71

Wakulla        11   7  8  12 - 38

SEAHAWKS: Arron Prince 4/6 2s, 1/ 2 3s, 11 pts.; Carlos Morris 5/14 2s, 1/10 3s, 5/6 FT, 18 pts.; Dalin Modican 3/5 2s, 0/2 FTs, 6 pts.; Adam Joseph 5/5 2s, 10 pts.; Austin O’Neal 10/16 2s, 1/2 3s, 1/4 FTs, 24 pts.; Zach Jones 1/2 2s, 2 pts.

Totals: 28/48 2s, 3/14 3s, 6/12 FTs

Rebounds: Joseph 11, Morris, O’Neal 9, Prince 7, Modican 5, Tyrdon Wynn 3, Marcus Allen, Michael Allen, Jones

WAR EAGLES: Willoughby 13, Robinson 10, Holmes 6, Knight 4, Randolph 3, Kilpatrick 2