2nd Herd Falls in Season Finale

The SCF basketball team (19-11, 5-7 Suncoast) wrapped up the regular season losing to #1 FSW (28-1, 11-0 Suncoast) in a tight knit game by a score of 76-69.

Offensively, three Manatees scored in double figures. It was sophomore D'Moi Hodge that led the way with 23 points (10-for-25 FG, 3-for-12 3PT), five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Freshman Marshall Kearing would follow with 17 points (7-for-11 FG, 1-for-1 3PT), six rebounds, one steal and five blocks. Sophomore Isiah Dasher would round out the lineup with 14 points (2-for-10 FG, 1-for-6 3PT, 9-for-9 FT), one rebound and one assist.

Sophomores Max Bell-Ramos (five points, six rebounds and one assist), Remy Robert II (one point and one rebound) and Christnoff Scarborough (three points, four rebounds and one assist) and freshmen Jordan Clark (two points, one rebound, one assist and two steals), Sam Grayson (two points, three rebounds and one steal) and Michael Gavin (two points and one assist) also contributed for the Manatees.

For the Buccaneers, freshman Jermaine Marshall led the way offensively off the bench as he finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Simeon Kirkland followed with 13 points and six rebounds, while classmate Keon Ellis finished with 12 points and six rebounds before fouling out. Classmate Berrick JeanLouis rounded out the order with 10 points and six rebounds.

Notes:
With the 23 points, Hodge now has 737 points this season and 1,335 in his career. Hodge is now seven points away from the all-time record in career points and 26 from the single season record. Both records were set by James Life (1,341: all-time; 762: single season).

Personal opinion: Hodge will more than likely break both records in the Suncoast Tournament.

With his 14 points, Dasher now has 944 and needs 56 to become the third player to reach 1,000 career points and the second active to do so.

Personal opinion: Truthfully I do have some doubts that Dasher will reach 1,000. I mean he still has a chance to do so, but it would have to be further into the state tournament. Otherwise, it's very doubtful.

Other Suncoast Scores:
Hillsborough (10-16, 2-9 Suncoast) defeated Polk State (20-8, 7-4 Suncoast) by a score of 78-73. The Hawks will play St. Pete College (13-16, 3-8 Suncoast) Saturday afternoon, February 22 at 4 pm. The Eagles will face #1 FSW Saturday afternoon, February 22 at 4 pm as part of their sophomore night game.

#1 FSW, Polk State, SPC and HCC all have one more conference game before the tournament. Since they won the Suncoast Regular Season Championship, the Buccaneers will not participate in the tournament as they claimed an automatic bid to the FCSAA State Tournament.

Updated Suncoast Standings:
1. #2 FSW (28-1, 11-0 Suncoast)*#
2. Polk State (20-8, 7-4 Suncoast)
3. SCF (19-11, 5-7 Suncoast)
4. St. Pete College (13-16, 3-8 Suncoast)
5. Hillsborough (10-16, 2-9 Suncoast)

#Clinched Playoff Berth
*Suncoast Regular Season Champions

Up Next:
The Manatees will now focus for the next few days of practice for the Suncoast Conference Tournament. The Manatees are listed as the #2 seed in the tournament and will await the final matchup between SPC and HCC for the #4 seed. More than likely, the Manatees will face St. Pete College.

The winner of the Suncoast Conference Tournament will join #1 FSW as the Suncoast Conference Runner-Up and face Tallahassee Community College (Panhandle Regular Season Champions) in the FCSAA State Tournament.