Green Wave top Bulldogs
In an early season boys’ basketball showdown Friday night, host Ida Baker and Fort Myers went after each other at a rapid pace, pushing the ball up and down the court.
Oddly enough, the game’s outcome hinged on how each team performed when the action stopped.
Ida Baker suffered at the free throw line, making 14-of-31 attempts, in a 71-59 loss.
Those numbers are somewhat deceiving. Four times during the Bulldogs’ comeback in the fourth quarter, they failed to convert the front end of one-and-one opportunities.
The Green Wave (3-0), on the other hand, converted 12-of-16 from the line, including 9-of-12 in the final three minutes.
“You don’t make your free throws, you can’t beat a team like Fort Myers,” Bulldogs coach Greg Coleman said. “That’s the bottom line”
Fort Myers has been a tough team for the Bulldogs (4-2), and the rest of the District 5A-15 opposition, to solve. The Wave defeated the Bulldogs three times last season en route to an undefeated record in the district and ultimately the district title.
Though Friday’s contest, the first of two meetings, wasn’t counted toward the district standings, it served as an early measuring stick for both teams.
After grinding out a hard-fought 63-55 win over Mariner Tuesday, the Wave did many of the little things necessary to beat the Bulldogs Friday.
“Playing in that close game (against Mariner) was really good for us,” Wave coach Scott Guttery said. “It kind of let us know we needed a couple days of hard work in practice. I thought our guys responded. We rebounded well and played good defense.”
For the second straight game, the Wave received a strong all-around performance from center Josh Nicholas. The 6-foot-11 senior shook off some heckling from the Bulldogs fans and came through with 20 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks.
When Nicholas got in foul trouble and had to sit midway through the fourth, his teammates picked up the slack. Evin Graham, Colin Henry and Matt Yance each finished with 11 points. Graham made 5-of-6 free throws late.
“We don’t have one or two guys that will take over, but we have a deeper team,” said Guttery, comparing his team to last year.
Leading the Bulldogs were seniors John Skinner (20 points) and Zach Campbell (14 points).
Though the Bulldogs trailed by five at halftime, they never found a consistent groove on the offensive end. They converted 7-of-18 three-point attempts and 19-of-51 overall from the field.
Trailing 52-41 early in the fourth, the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to 54-50 around the four-minute mark, but missed opportunities to make it closer.
Along with the struggles from the free throw line, Skinner and senior Gabe Rodriguez each missed layup attempts in transition.
“You can’t beat that team if you don’t do the little things,” Coleman added.
Fort Myers 17 14 19 21 – 71
Ida Baker 12 14 15 18 – 59
Fort Myers (71) – Henry 11, Nicholas 20, Graham 11, White 3, McClendon 6, Hodge 8, Yance 11, Manning 1. Totals: 28 12-16.
3-point goals: Yance 1, Henry 1, White 1.
Ida Baker (59) – Campbell 14, Battle 8, Skinner 20, Rodriguez 5, R.Serrano 8, Ramos 4. Totals: 19 14-31.
3-point goals: Skinner 2, Campbell 2, Battle 1, Rodriguez 1, R.Serrano 1.