BlueWave surge too late in season opener
The FSCJ women' s basketball program hosted the 1st Annual Battle on Beach Blvd FSCJ Tip Off Classic Nov 4-5th to open up the 2022-2023 season. The program played host to visiting East Georgia, Tallahassee Community College and conference rivals Santa Fe College and Eastern Florida State College.
Day one of the tournament found the FSCJ women's team in the stands and working the event due to some unforeseen circumstance that caused Warner University JV to cancel last minute. But that news did not phase the attitudes of the women's program as they enjoyed watching the action on Friday.
Saturday was filled with another action-packed day of women's junior college basketball and this time the BlueWave were excited to be a part of it and take the court at 2:00pm.
The Florida State College at Jacksonville women's basketball team faced a competitive East Georgia State College, who they had scrimmaged in an early season event. Determined not to get caught in the running game with this quick East Georgia team, FSCJ's focus was to control the tempo.
A last-minute line-up change prior to the start of the game, contributed to a lack of rhythm after FSCJ secured the opening tip. East Georgia took advantage of the issue going on a 4-11 run in the opening five minutes of play. Struggling on the offensive end, the BlueWave could not connect with their passing and a time out was called and substitutions made but another 5-11 run by the Bobcats ended the first quarter with the score 9-22.
Start of the second quarter had FSCJ's originally scheduled starters take the court, but they compounded the problem with poor shot selections and lack of transition defense. East Georgia was taking full advantage of the downed BlueWave and didn't look back as the lead grew with another 2-11 run. Not happy with her team's performance, second year Head Coach Diana Couch could be heard yelling "That is not the game plan, follow the plan!" as the team headed to the bench on a media timeout. Inspired by the time-out, FSCJ returning combo guard Ameera Thomas's defensive efforts transitioned into a bucket for guard M'Kayla Patterson to start off the remaining five minutes before the half. Sparked by the defensive stop, the BlueWave came alive and started attacking the basket sending them to free-throw line eight times. A weakside three point shot by freshman guard Avery Cannon woke up the gym and the BlueWave went on to close the gap after a 13-3 run on the Bobcats. FSCJ now down 24-36 had begun to find their rhythm in the season opener, but time ran out before heading into the locker room.
Still battling the opening minute deficit of 12 points, the BlueWave came out ready to take control. FSCJ, picked up where they left off before the half and kept the Bobcats scrambling to score. Unable to run the floor due to FSCJ offensive control, East Georgia was only able to put five points on the board with their running game halted. The troubles were not over for FSCJ as they struggled to convert, missing countless layups, but thankfully transfer point guard Johanna Bell took control scoring six of the ten points FSCJ had in the third quarter. Winning that quarter battle 10-9 FSCJ started to chip away at the overall 34-45 score.
The final quarter found an energized BlueWave team determined not to let the season opener slip away. Bell, continued her ability to get to the rim causing East Georgia to make defensive decisions including sending Bell to the line where she converted 4-4 from the free-throw line. FSCJ now on a 15-9 run, East Georgia answered back taking advantage of some defensive errors and opened the long bombs from behind the 3-point line. East Georgia's silent shooting guard for most the game, #2 Davis was ready to launch with every defensive miss step when the ball was in her hands and went on a shooting spree. Davis hit back to back three's before FSCJ guard M'Kayla Patterson answered with a deep three of her own that had everyone wondering if it would connect and it did. That bucket gave Davis the desire to sink just one more before the BlueWave made the adjustment. With three minutes left in the quarter and FSCJ down by 17, East Georgia made a mass substitution that would spark the BlueWave pride and the press was on. Turning up the defensive heat, FSCJ was able to get within nine before East Georgia called a time-out to restructure. The final quarter surge found the BlueWave outscoring the Bobcats but the first quarter deficit was too big to close as East Georgia claimed the first game of the season from Florida State College at Jacksonville 54-68.
The BlueWave were led in scoring by sophomore transfer Johanna Bell with 19 points, going 7-10 from the free-throw line and returning guard M'Kayla Patterson with 12. Last years leading scorer, Ameera Thomas, fell just short of a double-double with 8 point and 8 rebounds in her final season debut.
The BlueWave are set for a two home game stay next week with Beacon College on Tuesday November 8th and Johnson University on Thursday November 10th, both games tip off at 6:00pm.