5th Herd Takes First Game in Thanksgiving Classic

Bradenton, Fla - Four seasons ago, on December 14, 2018, the SCF basketball team and Gordon State College had their first meeting together at Hal Chasey Gymnasium in which SCF was victorious winning by a score of 76-72. Today, the Manatees (4-4) took the rematch against the Highlanders (5-2) by a score of 83-74 on the first day of the second annual Florida vs Georgia Thanksgiving Classic. The Manatees are now 2-0 overall against the Highlanders.

"I thought we played really well," said freshman Josh Ijeh. "We started off a bit slow, but we got there in the end and finished the game off well.

"We played a solid game tonight," said sophomore Cobey Harraway. "There's a lot of things we need to continue to clean up and get better at, specifically on the defensive side of things. Right now, we're just taking it one game at a time and try to improve with every game. Overall, I think we rebounded really well today and we made some great defensive plays in the last stretch of the game."

Prior to the SCF's game, Polk State (4-2) defeated Georgia Highlands (2-5) 64-55 in the opening game of the classic

In the first half, it would be a back and forth dog fight in ties and lead changes with sophomore Ronnail Tape leading part of the path offensively. In the end, the Highlanders would take the first half 44-43.

In the second half, things started going on the side of the Manatees with Tape's shooting and Ijeh's blocking as they sealed the deal for the win.

Five Manatees scored in double figures. It was Tape and sophomore Skylar Wicks that lead the offense for the Manatees as they each had 15 points apiece. Tape  (6-for-9 FG, 3-for-6 FT), who was two rebounds shy of a double-double and set a career-high in points, added, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Wicks (5-for-12 FG, 5-for-5 FT) added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Sophomore Ziggy Josue finished with 13 points (6-for-9 FG), seven rebounds and five assists, while freshman Kasheem Grady added 12 points (5-for-12 FG, 2-for-9 3PT), four rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Harraway would round out the order with 11 points (5-for-10 FG, 1-for-3 3PT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals.

"I feel like I had a solid game," said Harraway on his game. "I was just trying to affect the game in any way I could on both ends of the floor. The other team was really focused on trying to take me away offensively so I was trying to get my teammates involved as much as possible." 

Defensively, Ijeh and freshman Dreseasn Knight each had three blocks. Ijeh added three points and one steal, while Knight added four points and four rebounds.

"I thought I played decent," said Ijeh on his game. "I got some rebounds and blocks, but I have to make sure to stay out of foul trouble.

Sophomore Ametri Moss (two points, one rebound and two assists), redshirt freshman Zach Smith (three rebounds and two assists) and freshmen Malyk Rebetez (seven points, five rebounds and four assists) and Elijah Terry (four points, four rebounds and one steal) also contributed in the game.

All-Classic Team Standings:

1. SCF (1-0)

2. Polk State (1-0)

3. Indian River State (0-0)

4. Gordon State (0-1)

5. Georgia Highlands (0-1)

Up Next:

The Manatees will wrap up their portion of the classic as they face Georgia Highlands Friday night, November 25 at 7 pm.