Freeport falls early in basketball blowout (PHOTOS)

The competition was just too much.

The Freeport Bulldogs lost the first two games in the 16-team double-elimination Hilton Sandestin Beach Basketball Blowout at Freeport High School this week.

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On Day 1, Freeport fell 91-78 to Spanish Fort of Alabama and then on Day 2 the Bulldogs went down 67-38 to the Saints of St. Paul’s Episcopal of Alabama.

“They were just bigger and stronger,” said Freeport Coach David Burke, following the loss to the Saints. “They were a well coached and disciplined team.”

Not only were both the Toros and the Saints taller (with at least six players taller than 6-foot), but they had twice the manpower. Freeport has a short roster with only eight players and the tallest topping out at 5-foot-11.

Nevertheless, Burke said, “We didn’t quit a second.”

Against the Spanish Fort Toros, Freeport hung with the Alabama team in the first quarter to trail by only six points at the buzzer.

In the second, Spanish Fort started to pull away, hitting three 3-pointers as well as continuing to take the ball inside for a 49-33 lead at the half.

The Toros made a run on the Bulldogs in the third to increase their lead to 70-48.

In an effort to try and catch up quickly in the fourth, Freeport went to the outside shot and managed to knock down seven 3s. Tanner deGafferelly tossed in four 3s, while Alex Newkirk, Michael Graziani and Dalton Morrison each sank one.

For the game, deGafferelly led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Others in double digits were Newkirk with 15 points; Graziani, 12 points; Caleb Bowden, 11 points; and Clayton Jones, 10 points.

Top scorer for the Toros was Kendrick Holliman with 27 points.

Against St. Paul’s on Day 2, Freeport was again outmanned with the Saints 13 players and seven taller than 6-foot.

The Saints jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes and led 21-8 at the end of the quarter.

In the second, St. Paul’s made a nine-point run with David Crawford sinking back-to-back baskets followed by a bucket from Jacob Coker. Kendall Gibson finished up the run with a 3-pointer for a 35-12 lead. By the half, the Saints were in control 41-17.

St. Paul’s continued to bury the Bulldogs in the third. With two minutes left in the period, the Saints had pulled away by 35 points to start a non-stop clock on the game.

Down 62-28 going into the fourth, Freeport didn’t quit with Newkirk and Graziani each hitting a couple of layups. Jones also picked up a basket for a 67-38 finish.

Graziani was top scorer for the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Newkirk had 12.

Top scorer for St. Paul’s was Jacob Coker with 16 points. Davis Coker scored 12 and David Crawford 10.

The Sandestin Blowout was scheduled to wrap up Thursday evening.