- April 24, 2024
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FPC coach Gary McDaniel is 415-127 in 19 years of coaching.
Last year was a major learning and rebuilding season for the Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs basketball team. This year, it’s all about making moves in the district, and earning a berth in the state playoffs.
Coach Gary McDaniel enters his second season with the Bulldogs — he has posted a 415-127 record during his 19 years of coaching.
The Bulldogs went 13-13 last season and lost to DeLand in the district semifinals. Center Lawrence Certain, who led the team in scoring last season, has graduated. (He signed with Division 1 Southern University.)
A majority of the players on last year’s team were playing their first year of varsity basketball, but it’s the complete opposite this year, McDaniel said.
Juniors Willie Gardner, Tyler Hopkins and Chris Lubin will see a lot of time. Freshman Malik Maitland, a 5-feet, 9-inch point guard, moved from New York last year. Maitland plays for Nike Team Florida, and will be a large part of the Bulldogs future.
“We have a much improved work ethic, and our players are beginning to develop both individually and as a team,” McDaniel said.
Of course, that means nothing until the Bulldogs pass a few early season tests, McDaniel said. (See Pocket Schedule.)
Offensively, the Bulldogs play a high-tempo style. On the defensive side of the ball, McDaniel puts his team in either man-to-man or various traps.
“That’s all done in hopes of speeding up the game on both ends of the floor,” McDaniel said.
In McDaniel’s first season last year, the Bulldogs went on a nine-game road stretch.
“That schedule is not good for any young team,” he said.
But McDaniel and his Bulldogs are ready to embark on the new season.
POCKET SCHEDULE
7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29Mandarin
7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30Father Lopez
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2University
TBA Tuesday, Dec. 6@ Sandalwood
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8@ Ponte Vedra
12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9Atlantic (in-school)
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13@ Pine Ridge
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16Mainland
TBA Saturday, Dec. 17@ Seabreeze
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3@ New Smyrna Beach
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6@ Deltona
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10Sandalwood
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11Pine Ridge
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13@ Father Lopez
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17DeLand
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20@ Mandarin
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24New Smyrna Beach
TBA Saturday, Jan. 28@ Spruce Creek
TBA Tuesday, Jan. 31@ Mainland
7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1Deltona
7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3Matanzas
