- November 4, 2024
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After a disappointing 57-55 conference championship loss to Spruce Creek, the Flagler Palm Coast Lady Bulldogs (22-4) rebounded, winning the District 1-8 Championship over Ocala West Port 52-45 Friday, Jan. 30.
Before the conference championship loss, FPC had not lost to a conference opponent in two years, Spruce Creek in six. Coach Javier Bevacqua, who had previously lost all three of his district championship games, blamed the team’s overconfidence on the Creek loss, but he also considered it a blessing.
“We thanked them, because they refocused us,” he said. “The girls came back for practice and were disgusted. We didn’t even speak about it, but they knew we couldn’t allow that to happen again, losing to a team we’re better than.”
The Lady Bulldogs, in the district title game, went back and forth with West Port, but in the last minutes, they pulled away. Junior Tamara Henshaw finished with 13 points and 20 rebounds, and senior Armani Walker, the Bethune-Cookman commit, led all scorers with 19 points, five steals and three bounds. Ivana added 12 points.
“Before the clock was all the way out, we were already at the half court celebrating,” Walker said. “We lost the championship in my freshman year, so it felt good.” Walker added that she wouldn’t be content with an early exit but was counting on making it to the state finals.
Bevacqua, on winning his first championship, said, “To the coaching staff and me, it really meant a lot. It was also special to the girls who lost before, and the newcomers.”
FPC will begin the regional tournament against Lake Mary Prep at 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 5, at FPC.
