Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Win, or go Home!
Schadrac Casimir
It has been
an interesting season for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Men's
basketball team. And yes, what you are thinking is correct. When one
describes a season as being “interesting”, it usually indicates
that not all has gone just the way the coaches would have preferred.
Coaches have had to deal with the usual litany of negatives with the
program: injuries, players leaving the program for a variety of
reasons. It seems the team has had to deal with far more than normal
this season.
Their backs
were against the wall as they recently traveled to Jacksonville to
face the Dolphins. The Eagles won 77-74, to earn a tie for third
place, settled for fourth, and gained a home court advantage in the
first round of the playoffs.
All playoff
teams opened on Monday night. The Eagles faced the New Jersey
Institute of Technology. We had seen the Highlanders in mid-February,
and the Eagles won by two points. Abdul Lewis and Shyquan Gibbs had
been impressive for the Highlanders.
The other
six teams competing in the ASUN tournament are: Lipscomb, Kennesaw
State from Georgia, North Alabama, North Florida, and the newcomer to
the conference this year, Liberty.
It has been
a transitional year for the Eagles, with several newcomers in the
lineup. Schadrac Casimir hails from Connecticut, and is a graduate
transfer from Iona. At 5' 10”, he earns his minutes with his
shooting ability, and his athletic skills.
In Monday
night's game, Casimir scored 7 points. His teammate, Dinero
Mercurius, had an outstanding game with 27 points. The squad from the
New Jersey Institute of Technology proved to be too much for the
Eagles, as they outscored the home team 83-78.
The
Highlanders were led by Zach Cooks who had 20 points at half time,
and finished the game with 25. Diandre Wilson had 26 points for NJIT.
Abdul Lewis dominated the paint, and ended with 18 points.
The
Highlanders led by more than 20 points in the first half. The Eagles
closed the gap with a huge dunk by Troy Baxter, and a three point
shot from Casimir.
At half
time, a student from FGCU was given an opportunity to shoot from half
court for $ 7000. For the first time in the history of the contest,
the ball swished through the net.
The Eagles
came within 2 points at the end of the game, but could not seal the
deal. They will go back to the drawing board, and retool for next
year.
Always great
entertainment, at a great price!!
James Hurst
March, 2019
An update: Liberty defeated Lipscomb in the final to gain a spot as The ASUN champs to the NCAA title. Great stuff for their first season in the Conference.
# posted by James Hurst @ 6:10 PM 
