- November 23, 2024
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FPC's Jonathan Richard dribbles the ball up the court against teammate Ty Graham. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Jonathan Richard dribbles the ball up the court against teammate Ty Graham. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Desmond Neal throws down a dunk at practice. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Joseph O’lear finishes a layup. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Thomas Bohan shoot a layup. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Jared Lloyd banks in a layup. Photo by Ray Boone
Bulldogs coach Gary McDaniel instructs his team at practice. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Thomas Bohan puts in a layup over a defender. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Desmond Neal shoots a floater over a defender. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Desmond Neal shoots a floater over a defender. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Desmond Neal throws down a dunk at practice. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Thomas Bohan banks in a layup at practice. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' David Stubbs drives past a defender toward the hoop. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Marcus Walker pulls up for a jump shot. Photo by Ray Boone
Out-manned and undersized, Flagler Palm Coast’s boys basketball team overachieved during the 2018-19 season.
The Bulldogs won 13 games, losing 12. They finished runner-up in the district after losing a close game to Mandarin. And they played a tough game in the first round of the FHSAA State Basketball Playoffs before succumbing to Sanford Seminole 66-55 in the Seminoles’ own gym.
“It was tough,” FPC head coach Gary McDaniel said. “We had to play a particular way to be successful.”
The Bulldogs overwhelmingly relied on senior forward D’Mahgio Warren. They counted on him to score, rebound, pass and defend. When he was off, the Bulldogs were off.
Although Warren graduated last year, the Bulldogs may be in better shape this season, according to McDaniel.
“D’Mahgio did a lot for us, and I put a lot on his shoulders because of the makeup of the team,” he said. “But now we have more people who can do things instead of relying on one player to do a whole lot. I have the length that I didn’t have. I have versatility. The problem here is that they’re young and inexperienced. But they’re catching on fast.”
FPC is bolstered by several football players with some high school basketball experience: Jonathan Richard, Altarik Lumpkins and Tyrique Graham.
“They’re football players who also play basketball,” McDaniel said. “I think these kids bring some game with them.”
The Bulldogs are led by junior guard Desmond Neal and sophomore guard Marcus Walker, who were both on varsity last season.
Despite the “surprising” success last year, how it ended was still disappointing.
“I think we did better than we thought we were going to do,” Neal said. “But we could have played more as a team.”
Walker added: “We want to keep going hard.”
