- April 20, 2024
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The Matanzas basketball team regroups during a timeout. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Dmahgio Warren attempts a layup against the Pirates. Photo by Ray Boone
Bulldogs coach Gary McDaniel shouts instructions to his team from the bench. Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas coach Donald Lockhart gives advice to Pirates forward Corey Shakes. Photo by Ray Boone
Pirates guard Branden Gilyard gets his shot blocked by FPC's Christopher Fuqua (No. 15). Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas forward Greg Layne drives toward the basket against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Donald Lockhart was not the coach of the Matanzas boys basketball team the last time the Pirates beat Flagler Palm Coast. Lockhart, who is in his second season leading the Pirates, was still an assistant coach at Palatka.
That was in 2008.
The Pirates came close to knocking off the Bulldogs in 2017. Matanzas led FPC 51-47 through three quarters, but the Bulldogs used a 19-point fourth quarter to stave off the upset.
But on the night of Thursday, Feb. 8, the Bulldogs’ streak against their crosstown foe came to an end.
Behind a 22-point effort from senior forward Greg Layne, Matanzas defeated the Bulldogs 55-46 at FPC High School. It was the Pirates’ second win against FPC all time.
“We know we’re supposed to win games like that, but to win it on their court, it’s a confidence booster, especially heading into districts.”
Matanzas forward Greg Layne
“It felt like an actual rivalry game,” Layne said. “I think this game kind of set the tone. We built a foundation for future varsity teams to continue off of this.”
On the night of Tuesday, Feb. 6, the Pirates struggled against Mainland, turning the ball over 16 times in a 43-36 loss. The Pirates turned the ball over eight times against FPC.
“You give yourself a much better chance to win playing like that,” Layne said.
On the other side, the Bulldogs shot 10-for-24 from the free throw line and 16-for-43 from the field.
“We were literally shooting ourselves in the foot,” said FPC coach Gary McDaniel, whose team didn’t leave the locker room until 40 minutes after the game ended. “If we don’t make plays, especially in big games, you can’t win. That’s been our problem all year long. We’ve been up and down.”
The Bulldogs’ rivalry with the Pirates in boys basketball has been, for the most part, dormant. However, Lockhart said he expects change to come.
“It’s about to get really heated up in here,” he said.
