- May 1, 2024
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The Sandcrabs' Avery Randolph pulls up for a jump shot against the Barracudas. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Darius Malone passes to a teammate against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Avery Randolph drives to the hoop against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Nick Grubel shoots a 3-pointer against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Avery Randolph brings the ball up the court against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Darius Malone shoots a floater against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Luci DaSilva drives the ball to the hoop. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze coach Pepper Johnson instructs his team from the bench. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze coach Pepper Johnson instructs his team from the bench. Photo by Ray Boone
After winning its season-opener against Father Lopez, Seabreeze’s boys basketball team proceeded to lose the remainder of the season in 2018-19.
The main concern was their inability to convert from the free throw line, where the Sandcrabs shot 27%.
“I think it was a mental thing,” Seabreeze coach Pepper Johnson said. “We work on them in practice. But when you get in the game, the pressure is on. We’re just trying to figure it out.”
The Sandcrabs lost 24-straight games to end last season, and many of those games would have been close if not for the free throw discrepancy.
“It was frustrating,” the Sandcrabs’ Darius Malone said. “There were a lot of games where we lost by a couple points. There was just so much frustration.”
Regardless, the Sandcrabs believe they can turn the corner this season.
Although the Sandcrabs graduated solid contributors from last year’s squad, including sharp shooter Mitchell Miller, the Sandcrabs return athletic, experienced players in Malone and Avery Randolph, who are both seniors this season.
“I put a lot on them,” Johnson said. “They just have to step up and be leaders. We have to fight to the end and put it all together.”
Malone and Randolph, who were both contributors in the turnaround of Seabreeze’s football team this season, believe similar success can be expected of the basketball team.
“We want to play hard every game,” Randolph said. “We want to make a difference. There’s going to be a big change this year.”
The district title is the main goal.
“My expectations are high,” Johnson said. “I think if we can get over the hump, we’ll have a great season.”
