Dolphins edge Catholic in double overtime marathon
Hibberts' layup the difference in 51-49 win
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Coach David McGreal and his players celebrate the Dolphins' 51-49 double overtime win over Catholic Saturday.

Coach David McGreal was thankful his Dolphins were playing their archrivals Friday.

Had it been another team, with an atmosphere that wasn't as intense, the officials may have heard him calling timeout in the closing seconds of double overtime.

Instead, Bryan Shreve stole a pass, dribbled downcourt and fed David Hibberts for a layup as time expired, giving the Dolphins a 51-49 win and avenging an earlier 18-point loss to the eighth-ranked Catholic Crusaders (20-5).

The win also secured Gulf Breeze's first winning season since 2000.

Catholic looked poised to post their second straight blowout of the Dolphins, hitting seven of their nine first quarter shots to take an 18-9 lead.

But from there, the Crusaders would shoot 29 percent from the field (9-for-31).

Shreve, who had 12 points, hit a threepointer to get the Dolphins within five at 21-16. But the Crusaders wouldn't allow Gulf Breeze to get any closer, taking a 27- 20 lead at the half.

Matt Catellier, who had a team-high 15 points, hit one of his three-pointers early in the second half to get Gulf Breeze to within six.

Zach Andrews' bucket in the final minute of the quarter got Gulf Breeze within one possession (31-28), but a free throw gave Catholic a four-point lead heading into the fourth.

Another three-pointer from Catellier with 3:34 left tied the game at 35, the game's first tie since it was 3-3. Catellier, who was 6-for-8 shooting from the field, made a driving layup for Gulf Breeze its first lead at 39-37 with 1:55 left.

The Dolphins had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but couldn't either of two shots to go down in the closing seconds. GBHS also had a chance to win at the end of the first overtime, but one of their 22 turnovers prevented it, sending the game to a second overtime.

The Dolphins would score 17 points off of Crusader turnovers, including 14 in the fourth quarter and the overtimes.

Marcus Smith, one of seven seniors honored before the game, had 12 points, while Andrews had five, Hibberts four and Alec Cann and Dustin Clements two each.

Clements had nine rebounds, while Hibberts had eight.

Hibberts, Andrews, Cann, Catellier, Shreve and Erik Mims were also recognized before the start of their final regular season game.

Pace 60, Dolphins 56 (OT)

After taking a two-point lead, Gulf Breeze was outscored 7-1 over the final three minutes of overtime in a Jan. 29 loss.

Andrews went 7-for-10 from the field, including 4-for-6 from three-point range, to lead the Dolphins with a career-high 20 points. Catellier and Smith both had 10 each, while Shreve had eight, Cann four, Jeff White two and Hibberts one point and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Shreve had five rebounds, while Smith had four assists.

Dolphin JV 66, Catholic 54

Bo Peardon had 13 points, while Trent Swann and Ryan O'Hara had 11 each to lead the Dolphins over Catholic.

Pace JV 62, Dolphins 57

Marco Joseph had 11 points, while Nick Humphrey had nine and Drew Lynch eight in a close loss to Pace.

Dolphin ninth grade 48,

Catholic 42

Trevor Challenor hit four three-pointers and finished with 17 points to lead Gulf Breeze to its first win of the season.

Pace ninth grade 50,

Dolphins 39

Challenor had 14 points, while Ross O'Hara had 13 in a loss to Pace.

Gulf Breeze took on Milton in the first round of the District 1-4A Tournament Tuesday at the old Woodham High School.