Seahawk hoopsters sink Mosley in overtime

The Seahawk varsity boys basketball team bounced back from the season’s slow start with two wins last week, highlighted by a dramatic overtime victory at home over Class 5A Mosley.

Senior Carter Kembro nailed a trey from the corner in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter of the Dec. 1 game, tying Mosley at 45-all and sending the game into overtime. The Seahawks outscored the Dolphins 11-8 in OT, to take home a 56-53 win.

“I thought we played pretty well in the first half, and then we got fatigued a little bit and they went on the run and went up five at the half,” said coach Ray Bailey. “But other than that, I appreciate the effort that they put up. We are only playing six people really so the effort that they showed going to overtime, I’m proud and pleased.”

Mosley coach Darin Ford, whose team is just now getting back some its football players who were part of that 11-2 team’s season, said he was not surprised the Seahawks were able to pull out the win.

“We scouted them and watched them, and we knew they play tough,” he said. “They hit big shots, the crowd got behind them. It was no surprise. They’re a good team,  and they’re going to win a lot of games.”

The win was the second in two days for the Seahawks, who traveled to Wakulla County Nov. 30 and came back with a 58-47 win, after trailing 38-34 at the half. A big 16-8 fourth quarter accounted for the victory.

“That was an ugly win,” said Bailey. “It was kind of tough coming back from the holiday, getting in shape after all that Thanksgiving food that we ate. It was pretty rough, against a Wakulla team that I think is better than it was last year.”

Junior guard Owen Poloronis is back in the line-up, but restricted by the coach to how many minutes he’ll be on the court as he comes back from a broken ankle. Also back on the court is junior Ta’Shawn Jones, adding to the team’s ability to grab rebounds.

Senior Jerymiah Stephens’ play continues to impress Bailey, with 11 points and seven rebounds against Mosley, and 13 points against Wakulla. “He’s going to be our dog  as we like to call it,” said Bailey.

Carter Kembro, who led the team with 20 points against Mosley as well as getting some clutch rebounds, and Jones, who had 11 rebounds and three blocked shots against Wakulla, both were praised by Bailey.

Against Wakulla, Carter Kembro scored 12, Poloronis 11, Jones eight, sophomore Ethan Kembro six, and seniors Jamal Robinson and Darius Johnson each four.

Against Mosley, Carter Kembro had 11, Robinson six, Jones four, Poloronis three and Johnson two.

Junior Jaidyn Rhodes has been sidelined due to school discipline matters, and Bailey is looking forward to having him back, and cautioning his squad to stay on the up-and-up.

“My mission is bigger than basketball, I’m teaching them life lessons outside of basketball,” he said. “Last year we were in control of our own destiny, we should have been in the Final Four, with a chance to win it. If they continue to get in trouble this year, it will be the same result, another disappointing year when we should be going to the Final Four.”

“This year is a more complete team,” he said. “They play together, they hang out as a group. This group is together, and to win and to be great with this team, we have to stay together. We are tough as a unit, and not just two and everybody else.”

The Seahawk traveled to Liberty County Tuesday and host Quincy Munroe Friday night.