First round goes to FPC

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

The Flagler Palm Coast Lady Bulldogs defeated New Smyrna, 75-40, Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the quarterfinals. FPC will travel to face Seabreeze in the semifinals Thursday, Feb. 3.

Minutes into the District 2-6A quarterfinals between Flagler Palm Coast (No. 3 seed) and New Smyrna Beach (No. 6 seed), the Lady Bulldogs found themselves down 8-2.

But if anything was up to FPC senior guard Ty’Neka Addison, that was going to change — quickly.

Addison took control of the game with about five minutes remaining in the first quarter, making two layups and then nailing back-to-back 3-pointers, giving FPC a 10-8 lead with three minutes left in the quarter. New Smyrna Beach called a timeout, but that didn’t slow FPC’s momentum.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated New Smyrna Beach, 75-40, and kept their season alive with the district semifinals up next.

Addison finished with a game-high 29 points and nailed five three-point baskets.

Senior guard Desirea Hurley had 16 points and added to her record-setting season with four threes.

Hurley reached 97 3-pointers on the season and will have at least one more game to surpass 100.

The Lady Bulldogs went on a 11-3 run to close out the first quarter with a 21-11 lead.

Things would only get worse for the Lady ’Cudas.

Addison went on to score all but four of FPC’s 16 second-quarter points, including two more back-to-back 3-pointers.

Heading into halftime, the Lady Bulldogs led 37-22.

The third quarter was more of the same, as FPC outscored NSB, 28-6.

Addison accumulated four assists in the third quarter, while the Lady Bulldogs drained four 3-pointers.

FPC coach Javier Bevacqua was able to rest some of his starters in the fourth quarter.

Now, the Lady Bulldogs will travel to play against Seabreeze at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, to take on the No. 2-seeded Lady Sandcrabs.

FPC lost to Seabreeze both times in the regular season, but that isn’t worrying Bevacqua.

In the first meeting, the Lady Bulldogs lost by one point in the final seconds. In the rematch, FPC held an 18-point lead during the game, but the Lady Sandcrabs managed to crawl back and eke out a four-point victory.

Heading into the semifinals, Bevacqua wants to see his team minimize the turnovers.

“We have to be more active on defense, too,” Bevacqua said after the game.

Bevacqua was proud of how his team performed Tuesday night, but knows his Lady Bulldogs still have a lot of work to do.

Bevacqua acknowledged the number of offensive rebounds his team was able to grab, something he said the team has struggled with most of the season.

“I was proud with the sense of urgency by the seniors,” Bevacqua said.

A lot of the “urgency” starts with his point guard.

“I just wanted to keep pushing the team,” Addison said after the game.

And heading into the game against Seabreeze, Addison said she wants her team to come away with a win.

“We have to play like we did (Tuesday night), other than the first quarter,” Addison said.