Bozeman Bucks clip Seahawks

After a close first half, the South Walton Seahawks fell behind in the third quarter taking a 60-55 loss in varsity boy’s basketball action to the visiting Bozeman Bucks Tuesday night.

In the first quarter, South Walton took an early lead with Edward Howard and Shafer Martin hitting 3-pointers. Bozeman evened the score, then South Walton forged ahead with a free throw by Bishop Waldrop followed by a trey and a couple of free throws from Paxton Dixon. Matt Granville knocked down a 3-pointer for the Bucks, then South Walton’s Elisha Gundrum put up a little jumper for two points followed by a putback shot from Gene Hasse. South Walton was on top 16-9.

The Bucks tied the game again with a trey from Granville, an shot underneath and another basket by Granville. In the last minute, South Walton’s Dixon scored and Herbie Harrell hit for the Bucks. Chase Cox put a rebound back at the buzzer for the Seahawks and a 20-18 lead at the end of one.

In the second quarter, South Walton gave up nine points before getting a shot to fall. At the 5:07 mark Waldrop scored on an inside basket, but missed his foul shot. Seconds later, Howard drove inside for a layup and Waldrop came back for a bucket. Martin gave the Seahawks a slight lead with an outside shot. The scoring went back and forth, but South Walton led 33-32 at the break.

The third quarter was the difference in the game as the Bucks outscored the Seahawks 18-7. South Walton scored first on a free throw by Martin, but then gave up eight consecutive points to the Bucks. The Seahawks got a couple of inside shots from Waldrop and Howard to fall before the Bucks reeled off 10 more points. Howard put up bucket with 18 seconds left in the period for a 50-40 game at the end of three.

In the fourth quarter, South Walton closed it down to a four-point game with Martin working the inside and outside shot. However, there was no stopping the Bucks as they widened the gap back to eight points. In the final seconds, Will Cole came off the bench for the Seahawks and swished a 3-pointer for a 60-55 finish.

Scoring in double digits for the Seahawks were Martin with 15 points and Howard with 12. Waldrop and Dixon each scored seven and Gundrum five.

Harrell and Ben Adams each scored 15 points for the Bucks. Christian Flowers scored 11 and Granville, 10.

Up next for the Seahawks is a 7:30 p.m. at home Tuesday against the Fort Walton Beach Vikings.