- February 15, 2023
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Buccaneer Nick Antoine dribbles downcourt in the regional game against the Godby Cougars. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ajai Harrell runs on court as Mainland announces its starting lineup in the regional quarterfinal against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Zay Mincey dunks off of an alley-oop from Ajai Harrell, scoring Mainland's first basket of the game against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Mainland High School basketball team gets ready to be announced prior to the regional game against Godby High. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland guard Clay Cornett runs out on the court as he is announced prior to the regional game against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland guard Zay Mincey runs out on the court as he is announced prior to the regional game against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Zay Mincey gets fouled as he goes up for a basket in the regional game against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Angelo Mack drives to the hoop. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Deandre Newland guards Godby's Rico Thompson. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland cheerleaders entertain the fans during halftime at the regional game against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Jonathan Campbell (1) gets fouled while going up for the shot. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Nick Antoine drives to the basket. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Nick Antoine drives through traffic to make the shot. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer Zay Mincey shoots a jumper. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland players scramble as Ajai Harrell in-bounds the ball during the regional game against Godby High School. Photo by Michele Meyers
Buccaneer fans packed the Vince Carter Athletic Center on Feb. 17 as Mainland's boys basketball team took on Tallahassee Godby in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals.
Mainland fell just short of advancing to the next round of the FHSAA playoffs, losing in the final seconds to the Cougars, 49-46.
The Bucs ended their season at 15-10. Godby (22-5) advanced to the region semifinals against Jacksonville Riverside.
“I am proud of my guys,” said Mainland coach Joe Giddens, who returned to his alma mater in 2017 and ended the season with a 90-43 record. “They played hard tonight. They made some young mistakes, but next year, they’ll know. We’ll take two to three weeks off and get right back in the gym.”
“I’ll be giving them life tips. Never take it for granted, and leave your heart out on the court. It’s about being a leader, helping them keep their head on and not losing their cool.”
JONATHAN CAMPBELL, Mainland guard on helping the younger players
Team captain Nick Antoine led the Bucs with 19 points in his final basketball game with his Mainland teammates. Godby shooting guard Tajden Davis had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucs will be losing three seniors this year — Antoine, Jonathan Campbell and Jordan Porter. The remainder of his team will return next season.
Campbell, a four-sport athlete, heads off to run track and play baseball for the Bucs. Even though his basketball career has ended, he is looking forward to helping the Bucs' younger players who will be returning next year.
“I’ll be giving them life tips,” he said. “Never take it for granted, and leave your heart out on the court. It’s about being a leader, helping them keep their head on and not losing their cool.”
