Marlins boys knocked out by Pryor Pirates

They went down, but not without a fight.

The Destin Marlin boys lost 38-27 to the Pryor Pirates in the first round of the Okaloosa County Middle School Basketball Tournament in Fort Walton Beach Monday night.

“They played extremely hard tonight,” said Coach Ron Griffiths. “It wasn’t for a lack of effort” that Destin lost, he said.

“We came out a little timid on offense in the first quarter, but in the second and the second half we were aggressive.” Griffiths said.

Pryor drew first blood scoring two baskets. Destin finally scored with a 3-pointer from Tanner O’Keefe. Pryor’s Richard Grant put a rebound back for two points. Destin’s Ross Lawrence worked his way inside for two points. In the last two minutes, Pryor scored six points for a 12-5 lead at the buzzer.

In the second quarter, Destin went head-to-head with the Pirates with each team scoring six points. Pryor’s Marquise Kane scored, then Destin’s Kevin Robinson worked his way on the baseline for two points. Antonio Prather hit for the Pirates, and Robinson came back for two points for Destin. Brock Ochsenreiter drove the ball inside for two for the Marlins. Prather scored one last basket for Pryor for an 18-11 game at the half.

Destin gained a little ground on the Pirates in the third quarter. Ochsenreiter hit back-to-back baskets to bring the Marlins within three points of catching the Pirates. In the last couple of minutes, Pyror’s Grant scored, but Ochsenreiter came back with a long shot up the middle to stay within three. In the final seconds, Pyror’s Trey Eakes dumped in a bucket for a 22-17 advantage.

Pryor started the fourth with jumper from Grant. Destin closed it back down to a three-point game with a shot underneath by Robinson followed up with a driving layup by Deonte Sheffield. Midway through the quarter, Pyror started to widen the gap with a shot from Chris Pickett and Kane. Robinson drove to the baseline again for two points. Prather scored, then Sheffield made a steal for a quick layup.

In the last minute and a half, Pryor scored three quick baskets and two free throws while Destin’s Tyler Cohen went to the line and made both shots.

“I was proud of their effort,” Griffiths said.

Scoring eight points each for Destin were Robinson and Ochsenreiter. Sheffield hit for four while O’Keefe made three. Scoring two points each were Lawrence and Cohen.

Prather was top gun for Pryor with 12 points. Grant and Kane each tossed in eight points.

Destin finished its season, including tournament play, at 5-5.