Fighting to the end, FHS boys 2nd in Tampa tourney
Some of the best high school teams from all over the nation participated. Each was put in one of many eight-team brackets.
“This was a very good tournament,” Admirals head coach Jon Higgins said. “We called down there to see if they had a spot. They did, we registered, and we went.”
The Admirals won two of three games, beating Winthrop College Prep Academy (Florida) 67-37 Thursday, Dec. 30. Ryan Neal scored 20 for FHS, while Dylan Atwell had 18 and Elisha Brabson added 10. Farragut gave up a mere 17 points in the second half. Winthrop entered the game with a 12-0 record.
“We played well,” Higgins said. “We played very well defensively, especially in the second half. We were able to lock in and defend really well and we made some shots in the second half.”
On New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31, Farragut beat Tennessee neighbor Cumberland Co., 51-47. Dallas Carbaugh grabbed 14 boards to go with his 22 points for the Admirals. Atwell added 13.
“Tough game,” Higgins said. “We were able to fight through some adversity. We didn’t make any shots in the first half.”
Farragut trailed by nine at one point, only to fight back to lead by eight.
“It was good to see Dallas be able to assert himself inside,” said Higgins. “We defended much better in the second half. We were able to pull out a victory.”
Farragut fell 65-62 to Saddle River Day School (New Jersey) on New Year’s Day. The Admirals fought back valiantly from an 18-point third-quarter deficit. Atwell scored 22; Carbaugh had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah chipped in 11.
“Really tough basketball game,” Higgins said. “They’re well-coached. We kind of lost ourselves there in the third quarter. But we were able to battle back.”
Saddle River buried 10 three-pointers in the first half alone. Farragut missed an open three at the end of the game that would have tied it. “(Fighting back) really showed how tough we are, how much we can grind,” said Higgins.
“It was a very successful trip. We grew and we learned a little bit about ourselves, both mentally and physically. That’s what we needed going forward for the second half.”
Now 10-5 (1-0, District 4-4A), the Admirals resume play Tuesday night, hosting Cleveland High School.
