Short-handed Moore Haven comes up short in district playoffs Sports by Kevin Johnson - February 28, 2019September 20, 2024 NAPLES — The numbers on the bench and the scoreboard didn’t favor the Moore Haven High School girls basketball team. Moore Haven’s Alicia Fudge drives the lane for a layup in a 3A-6 district semifinal against First Baptist Academy on Feb. 7 in Naples. Fudge finished with a team-high 18 points. (Photo Kevin Johnson) Despite a determined effort from start to finish from the Brighton Reservation trio of starting seniors Alicia Fudge, Burgundy Pierce and Caroline Sweat, Moore Haven’s season ended with a 48-41 loss to First Baptist Academy in a Class 3A-District 6 semifinal on Feb. 7 at FBA in Naples. Moore Haven was the No. 3 seed; FBA was No. 2. In their final game as Terriers, Fudge (18 points) and Pierce (12 points) combined for three-fourths of the offensive production. In fact, they scored the team’s first 10 points, which included a 3-pointer from Fudge near the end of the first quarter that pulled Moore Haven to within a 13-10 deficit. But Moore Haven only had two substitutes on the bench and only one of those played. On the other side, FBA’s bench was chock full of players. Eventually, Moore Haven wore down. The Terriers led 24-22 at halftime, but FBA took the lead with a minute left in the third quarter and never trailed again, although it was anything but a comfortable lead. Moore Haven trailed 40-39 after Fudge made a layup and free throw for a three-point play with three minutes left in the game. But Terrier shots began hitting the front of the rim, a sign of tiredness as FBA finished the game on an 8-2 run. Sweat scored two points in her final game and provided tenacious defense the entire night. Although they fell short of qualifying for regionals, the Terriers generated plenty of highlights this season, notably a 17-6 record under coach Al Gary, by far the program’s best mark in at least the past 13 years. They ruled the Lake by going a combined 3-1 against Okeechobee and Clewiston. Moore Haven’s Caroline Sweat, left, wrestles for a loose ball in a Class 3A-District 6 semifinal against First Baptist Academy on Feb. 7 in Naples. (Photo Kevin Johnson) Moore Haven’s Burgundy Pierce fights off a First Baptist player during a district semifinal in Naples. (Photo Kevin Johnson) Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share