Mainland wins first three games, lose last, again

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

Robin and Evelyn Edson pictured with Mainland's assistant principal Karen Nielsen

Anaisha McDuffie shoots a jump shot over a defender. Photos by Jeff Dwsey

Article- For the second time this season, Mainland’s basketball teams went into the final game of their quadruple-header against Seabreeze 3-0, but the Sandcrabs’ varsity boys thwarted both attempts for a sweep, this time winning 83-66 on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Mainland.

From the beginning of the game, it was clear that Bucs planned to shut Riley Oldham down. They double-teamed him and often put their best defensive against him, which led to opportunities for other players.

After a 17-17 first quarter, Markees Shine and Anthony Butler took over the game, scoring 23 of the Seabreeze’s 26 second-quarter points that put them up 43-35 at halftime. Butler, who went 0-for-4 in the first quarter, scored 11, nine coming by three-pointers, and Shine totaled 10.

DaTonio Robinson puts up a fadeaway shot, after getting fouled.

“To go 0-for-anything sucks, but that’s why your coach and teammates give you chances to hit shots; you just have to knock them down,” Butler said.

Butler’s hot streak continued in the third, as he would hit another pair of three’s and convert a three-point play at the line to put the ‘Crabs up 57-40. Although Mainland cut the lead to 68-59, Seabreeze made enough free throws and late baskets to pull away and get the win.

“Like I always say, when we hit shots, we can play with anybody,” coach Pepper Johnson said. “But, when we miss shots, it can get rough for us.

Shine finished with 15, James Jackson 12, and Oldham and Jimmy Hawkins each had 11 points. Kenneth King led Mainland with 15 points, and Trevon Bush added 12.