- November 23, 2024
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Through two halves and four overtime periods, Corey Shakes struggled to put the ball in the basket. But with four seconds left in a tie game, the former Matanzas forward ripped down an offensive rebound and banked in a layup — and was fouled.
After ripping the net on the free throw, Shakes sprinted step-for-step with Flagler Palm Coast's Dmahgio Warren — a former teammate of the latter, while Shakes was a student at FPC before his transfer to Matanzas. Warren, who had torched the Titans to the tune of a game-high 21 points, launched a deep 3-pointer over Shakes' outstretched arms as the shot clock expired.
He missed.
Finally, the Titans could be crowned the champions of Flagler County Basketball's Division III league, as the Titans defeated the Prospects 58-55 on the afternoon of Saturday, June 2, at Carver Gym. The four overtime periods marked the longest game in the history of the league.
"That was a fun game," Shakes said. "I always love playing against Dmahgio because he's like my brother."
Saturday marked the conclusion of FCB's 10th year. In addition to the Division III league (14-to-17 years old), championship games were held for the Division II league (11-to-13 years old) and Division I league (10-and-under).
The Prospects defeated the Carver Tigers 35-32 for the Division II title, and the Prospects defeated the Timberwolves 24-17 for the Division I title despite 15 points from the Timberwolves' Javonte' Patton. It was Patton's first season playing basketball.
FCB has a fall season that runs from October to February and a spring season that runs from March to June.
"It was great to see all these kids from start to finish," Director Fitzgerald Belgrave said. "These games have been close and competitive, and that's because the coaches have been building their skills levels and the parents have been very supportive. I've seen exponential growth in these kids."