- November 23, 2024
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The Bulldogs' Brianna Ellis pulls up for a floater against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Lauren Stewart pounds the ball into the paint against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Brianna Ellis shoots a 3-pointer against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Quetrina Brown shoots a 3-pointer against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Brianna Ellis shoots a free throw. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Brianna Ellis drives to the hoop against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Lily Dunaway throws a pass to an open teammate. Photo by Ray Boone
Despite falling behind 46-24 at halftime, the Bulldogs pulled to within 8 points late in the fourth quarter against rival Spruce Creek. But with about 3 minutes left in regulation, the Hawks stole the ball and initiated a fastbreak. In one fluid motion, the Hawks’ sharp-shooting guard Kaci Oelkers caught a pass, drifted to the right corner and launched a fall away 3-pointer.
Nothing but net.
“When you have shooters like that, you can’t make mistakes,” the Bulldogs’ Brianna Ellis said. “It’s hard to come back. They played hard.”
Oelkers scored a team-high 21 points for the Hawks and was part of a monster barrage of triples against the Bulldogs.
Spruce Creek defeated Flagler Palm Coast 75-60 the night of Tuesday, Dec. 17, at FPC High School.
“When we miss and the other team shoots and makes everything, it’s tough to come back,” FPC head coach Javier Bevacqua said. “We had a couple break downs and they made us pay. That’s what it came down to.”
The Bulldogs were led by Ellis, who scored a game-high 23 points against the Hawks. FPC also received contributions from forward Lauren Stewart and guard Quetrina Brown, who scored 14 points and 10 points, respectively.
The loss was the second of the season for the Bulldogs, who — after giving up a buzzer-beater to tie the game — lost 54-51 to Ribault in overtime on Dec. 14.
Despite the tough defeats, the Bulldogs are pleased with the overall direction the season is going in.
“We’re rolling as a team,” Ellis said. “We have our ups and downs, but when we work hard and listen to our coach, we do well. I’m proud of our hard work and I’m proud of my teammates.”
In addition, Bevacqua believes his team is fated to meet the Hawks again this season, most likely in the district final and regional tournament.
“We have to keep working hard to bounce back,” he said.
