Tiger Sharks top Franklin County to end week

Regardless of record or struggles, rivalry games provide opportunities for satisfying success.

That was the case last Friday night as Port St. Joe snapped a five-game losing streak by downing district and local rival Franklin County 50-43 in “The Dome.”

“It was nice to win a rivalry game,” said Port St. Joe coach Derek Kurnitsky. “We have been struggling lately and it was nice to come out and play well. I was proud of them.”

The key was a second quarter during which the Tiger Sharks (6-11 overall, 3-5 in District 4-1A) surged from an 11-11 tie at the end of the opening period to a 29-19 lead at intermission.

The margin remained largely intact until the final quarter when the Seahawks managed to close to within seven points, but no closer.

Alex King led the way with 21 points for Port St. Joe. Natrone Lee and Caleb Odom added six points, Ramello Zaccarro had five and Chad Quinn four. T.J. Williams and Arion Ward had three points apiece and Jarkeice Davis had two.

“It was a nice win to get, especially since we have had our struggles,” Kurnitsky said.

Those struggles were evident during a cold snap that continued during the early part of last week.

On Jan. 10, the Tiger Sharks traveled to South Walton and fell 71-55 in a district tilt.

South Walton blew a close game open in the second period as the Seahawks outscored Port St. Joe 28-9 to take a commanding 44-26 lead.

The Tiger Sharks shaved points off the lead in the final quarter, but could get no closer than 16 points.

“We are just really struggling to score points right now,” Kurnitsky said. “For some of the younger guys, the game is still a little bit too fast. With age and experience it will slow down for them. It is just a question of gaining experience.”

Davis led the way for Port St. Joe with 18 points. Lee added 17, King seven and Ward six. Odom chipped in with three points and Jamie Gordon and Nick Dickinson each contributed two points.

Two nights later, the Tiger Sharks traveled to Blountstown and lost another district matchup 54-43.

The Tigers steadily built a commanding lead through three quarters – Blountstown was up 44-29 after three periods – before Port St. Joe clawed back to with 11.

Odom paced Port St. Joe with 13 points. Quinn added nine points, Williams seven, Zaccarro six, King five, Lee three and Ward two.

“In our total game, all phases, we have to be more consistent,” Kurnitsky said. “We are up and down just like the stock market. That is part of it with our youth. We are just so young.”

The Tiger Sharks traveled to Liberty County on Tuesday and host Bozeman at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.