Bucs prepare for postseason with killer schedule

The Mainland girls basketball team knew there'd be nights like this.

The Buccaneers assembled a killer schedule to prepare themselves for the state playoffs. So after suffering their second loss in five games, they weren't hanging their heads.

Mainland (3-2) suffered a 50-38 loss to Spruce Creek on Nov. 29 on the Hawks' home court.

"Our goal is to get to states, so this game doesn't faze us," said Mainland senior guard Nyasia James.

Creek scored the first 11 points of the game and stayed in front the rest of the way. The home team opened up a 20-point lead (45-25) midway through the four quarter, but the Bucs went on a 10-2 run to pull within 12 points with 1:30 left. That would be as close as they would get the rest of the way.

"We've had some good shooting nights, but tonight we were off," Mainland coach Brandon Stewart said.

A large crowd watched two of the best teams in Volusia and Flagler counties. The Hawks (3-1) feature Tyja Beans and Kiana Bean, who each averaged in double figures last year, and sophomore forward Ya'niya Lawson, who scored a game-high 20 points against Mainland.

The Bucs are led by sophomore guard Tia Dobson and Flagler Palm Coast transfer Lauren Stewart, a 6-foot senior forward, who has received interest from Division I programs. 

Mainland's other loss came in the season opener to private-school powerhouse Montverde Academy. The Bucs have two other private-school powers on the schedule in Kissimmee Central Pointe Christian (Dec. 3) and IMG Academy (Jan. 29).

They also play a couple of teams that advanced to the state final four in their classifications last year in St. Augustine (Dec. 21) and Wekiva (Jan. 11).

"This just shows us what we need to work on," James said.