We headed over to Maitland to catch Southeastern Prep’s first home SIAA game of the season, taking on Florida Coastal Prep out of Fort Walton Beach.  The Falcons come in as the #7 ranked team in the country according to the Ball is Life Fab 50 and for good reason.  There is a lot of high-major talent on the squad with quite likely four future first round draft picks.

It really wasn’t a surprise when Southeastern Prep (or SEPA as it is often called) got out to an 8-0 lead after the first four minutes of play, prompting an FCP timeout.  That helped as FCP converted a three-point play and then drained a three to draw within 8-6 with three minutes left in the quarter.  FCP caught another break when SEPA’s 6’11 junior Obinna Okezie drew his second foul moments later and headed to the bench.  SEPA was only able to stretch its margin to five points by the end of the period, 16-11.

The SEPA bench played much of the early portion of the second period.  This allowed FCP to stay within reach and halfway thru the nine-minute quarter, SEPA’s lead was just 27-21.  The starters made their way back in and SEPA seemed to turn on the momentum like a switch.  Beckham Black, a 6’3 junior, started finding his way to the hoop, scoring 11 points and dropping three assists in the quarter.  C.J. Rosser, a 6’9 junior, dunked home a pair of lobs and drained a three during the run.  Overall, the Falcons outscored FCP 25-18 in the second period to lead 41-29 at the break.

The SEPA roll continued into the third period.  With 6:20 left in the quarter, the Falcons led 55-31 and put in a fresh five.  FCP made a dent in the margin, cutting it under twenty points a couple of times in the period.  Unhappy with the effort from the bench, SEPA re-inserted its starters over the next few possessions.  This got things going, especially for 6’6 senior Jaxon Richardson.  He had the play of the night, catching a lob and throwing down a reverse jam in one smooth motion.  With one period remaining, SEPA was up comfortably, 63-39.

However, the Falcons weren’t satisfied.  A 7-3 run by them forced an FCP timeout less than two minutes into the period.  SEPA put in its bench and this time they got the message.  They took that margin and grew it, most of it thanks to a 12-2 run over a two-minute stretch late in the period.  SEPA gets a big win in its SIAA home opener by the score of 93-51.

SEPA put six players in double-figures led by Richardson’s 14 points (and seven steals by our count).  Hazzan Efford, a 5’9 junior, dropped in 13 points, Jayden Wilkins, a 6’2 junior added 12 points as did Okezie. Black’s 11 points in the second quarter was all of his scoring (to go along with eight assists for the night) and Kellan Cantrell, a 6’2 junior, accounted for 10 points.

For Florida Coastal Prep, 6’7 senior Tatiano Muambu paced the way with 16 points while Wellington Barros, a 6’3 sophomore, dropped in 14 points.