- November 5, 2024
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When Flagler Palm Coast sophomore guard Ivana Boyd is on her A-game, her coach says she can be one of the most lethal players in the area.
The problem, FPC coach Javier Bevacqua said, is that sometimes, she isn’t focused, and her game suffers.
That wasn’t the case Monday night.
About midway through the second quarter, Boyd scooped up a loose ball, streaked up the hardwood and delivered a smooth, behind-the-back pass to teammate Princess Williams, who banked in the layup.
The slick combination play stretched Flagler Palm Coast’s lead on Monday night against Spruce Creek in a highly anticipated matchup of two of the top teams in the 5-Star Conference.
After the first quarter, though, it wasn’t much of a game. The Lady Bulldogs used a 19-5 run in the second quarter to pour in 28 second-quarter points, taking a 39-26 lead into halftime.
FPC (15-7) was able to stretch the lead to 30 points by the time the 32 minutes were over, routing Spruce Creek, 76-46.
After the game, FPC coach Javier Bevacqua said his team doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Did he want to send a message Monday night?
“All day long,” he said. “I’m tired of us not getting any respect. I told (the team), ‘Pressure busts pipes.’ (Spruce Creek) can’t handle that.”
FPC played smothering defense throughout the entire game. But that’s what the Lady Bulldogs do, Bevacqua said. They’ve done it all season, and they’ll continue to do it heading into the postseason.
On Monday night, though, it was all about Boyd. She dropped 20 points, snatched seven steals, dished out five assists and snagged six rebounds. She stuffed the stat sheet.
“She was big tonight,” he said. “She’s had a good season, but she’s been spotty — she either plays up or down to the competition.”
Fortunately for FPC, Spruce Creek is a good team. Bevacqua said he’s trying to figure out how to get Boyd to play her best every game, though.
“It’s all just focus,” Boyd said. “When I’m focused, I know I’m at the top of my game, and then I can give our team the best chance to win.”
Boyd was a freshman varsity player when she was 13 years old. She says she continues to grow, but there will be ups and downs.
“I think it was just me being young,” she said. “I just have to adjust and know what my team needs from me.”
FPC will close out its regular season on Friday at DeLand. The Lady Bulldogs will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s District 1-8A tournament, which will be played at Mandarin. With a win in the first round, the Lady Bulldogs would advance to the district championship game and secure a state playoff berth.
Bevacqua said it’s all about getting his young team experience as they head into the district tournament. There are no seniors on the Lady Bulldogs’ roster.
“We’re trying to keep them focused,” he said.
Click HERE for a photo gallery from Monday night's game.
