- November 23, 2024
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Preston Harvey couldn' t converts a shot while getting fouled and mugs the Matanzas student section. Photos by Jeff Dawsey
Both FPC and Matanzas supporters cheered for every possession.
Christian Harrison attempts a shot over two Bulldogs.
Christian Harrison reaches out and blocks FPC D' mahgio Warren' s shot.
Coach Donald Lockhart intensely coaches his players during a timeout break.
Coach Gary McDaniel is pumped after his Bulldogs take a late fourth-quarter lead.
When Flagler Palm Coast head coach Gary McDaniel took over the Bulldogs basketball program in 2010, the Pirates won both meetings that season. Since then, Matanzas has lost every game by at least 13 points — 38 at the most — until now.
Following FPC’s 66-61 back-and-forth roller-coaster win over the Pirates Friday, Jan. 27, at Matanzas, McDaniel exclaimed. “The rivalry has been reborn.”
After the Bulldogs’ opening 8-0, neither team trailed by more than five points throughout the rest of the game. With every basket scored, shot blocked or turnover committed, half of the respective raucous crowd cheered for its team.
“That was a lot of fun,” McDaniel said. “We knew there was going to be a big crowd and a lot of
“This atmosphere reminds me of my time with Palatka, against St. Augustine, but I think this was a little better.”
DONALD LOCKHART, Matanzas head basketball coach
pressure, and they were coming for us at the end. But we played from our hearts and pulled it out. We hope this game will serve as a bridge to something a whole lot better going forward.”
Matanzas coach Donald Lockhart shared the same sentiments while expressing his desire to see the rivalry game play out twice each season.
“This atmosphere reminds me of my time with Palatka, against St. Augustine, but I think this was a little better,” he said, “when you look in the stands and see everyone packed in there. We’re going to see if we can work on a two-game schedule for next year.” The two did play in an exhibition game to begin the season. Matanzas won 65-60.
Game stats
Say that again:
“This atmosphere reminds me of my time with Palatka, against St. Augustine, but I think this was a little better.”
DONALD LOCKHART, Matanzas head basketball coach
