MHS goes 4-2 at UF Team Camp

The Marianna Bulldogs won four of their first six games Friday and Saturday in the University of Florida Team Basketball Camp in Gainesville.

The Bulldogs defeated Gainesville Eastside 56-45 in their first game of the camp Friday, then took a 64-63 win over PK Yonge in the next game.

In their third game of the camp’s opening day, Marianna lost for the first time, dropping a 62-55 game to Santa Fe.

The Bulldogs came back early Saturday morning, taking on Melbourne at 7 a.m. and winning 56-51.

Marianna next faced The Rock and took a 79-74 win, with RJ Bowers putting in 32 points on 7-7 shooting from the 3-point line.The Bulldogs dropped their final game Saturday to Ottawa Glandorf, Ohio 75-45.Marianna next competes in today’s single-elimination tournament that concludes the camp.

MHS coach Travis Blanton said he was very happy with how the camp had gone for his team.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the winning, but we’re also developing chemistry and learning our way of doing things,” the coach said. “RJ and Kruize Pinkins are playing very well. Fidel Montgomery left for a football combine in Tampa with Dalton Bennett, but Tommy Stephens stepped up and played well and our bench guys did a good job.”

MHS is competing in the upper varsity level in the camp, often competing with teams at the highest classifications in Florida.

“The competitions is stiff, so you have to play well, but that’s a good thing,” Blanton said. “I like our kids and I think they’ve enjoyed it and are having some fun. I think it has been a real good experience.”