July 7, 2024 – DeLand, Florida –
In a thrilling turn of events, the Clermont Crocs clinched a remarkable 86-83 victory against the Winter Park Storm in the Florida Basketball Association (FBA) Playoff semifinals yesterday, July 6, 2024, at Stetson University. This unexpected win marks the Crocs’ first victory of the year, as they finished the regular season with a disappointing 0-6 record.
The road to the playoffs was anything but conventional for the Clermont Crocs. Typically, a team with such a lackluster regular season performance would not qualify for the playoffs. However, this season’s playoffs were notably influenced by significant disruptions within the league. The Kissimmee Lambs, a strong contender, opted not to return for the 2024 season, creating an unexpected vacancy. Adding to the league’s upheaval, the Polk County Royals made headlines when they exited the FBA mid-season, sparking considerable controversy. The departure of the Polk County Royals was particularly significant. The 2022 FBA Champions were not only the first team in league history to win a championship in their inaugural season, but they also broke barriers with a female owner leading the franchise to victory. Their decision to leave the FBA for the Universal Basketball Association left a void and shifted the competitive landscape of the league.
This season has been a memorable one, marked by drama and unexpected twists. The Royals were initially set to start the 2024 season with Chris Espinoza as their head coach. However, he was released during the preseason after the team struggled to hold leads in the final minutes of games. Espinoza then joined the Vancouver Huskies (Vancouver, British Columbia) organization to launch their team, Huskies USA, based in Orlando, FL. Huskies USA plays an exhibition schedule to give players experience against teams across Florida and abroad. In an interesting turn of events, Espinoza was also offered the opportunity to join the Clermont Crocs as an assistant coach for this season. Fun fact: Coach Espinoza actually served as the head coach of the Crocs during the 2022 season and is now in his fourth year of coaching in the FBA, having also coached for the defunct Poinciana Pride.
With only four teams remaining in the league at the end of the season, and in an effort to maintain multiple rounds in the playoffs, the FBA made an unprecedented decision to make each team eligible for the playoffs. This move ensured that the excitement and competitive spirit of the postseason were preserved despite the reduced number of teams. The Winter Park Storm were the favorites to win the FBA championship this season and held the #1 seed in the playoffs. They had an impeccable 6-0 record going into the semifinal matchup and were playing for their longtime head coach Barry Mestel, who passed away in January of this year. The team, nicknamed the “Barry Boys” this season, dedicated their efforts to Coach Mestel’s memory, making this loss particularly heartbreaking for them.
The Crocs took a commanding lead late in the game, holding a 10-point advantage at 77-67 with about three minutes remaining. Dominic Douglas, a longtime Storm player, ignited his team with a crucial three-pointer, narrowing the gap to 77-70. The Crocs’ offense then became stagnant, missing key shots and allowing the Storm to capitalize with an and-one play. Though the Storm missed the free throw, they grabbed the rebound and brought the score to 73-77. The Crocs struggled offensively, missing several putbacks before finally converting to extend their lead to 80-73. The Storm continued to battle back, closing the gap as Kenny Long of the Crocs missed two critical free throws. The Crocs managed to get a putback to grow their lead by two, making it 82-76. The closest the game got in the final stretch was 82-81, but the Crocs’ Kevin Roulhac sank two clutch free throws to extend the lead to 84-81.
The game came down to free throws, with both teams in the bonus during the final 20 seconds. The back-and-forth fouls and free throws ultimately ended with the Clermont Crocs holding on for an 86-83 victory. Clermont’s victory is a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports and the spirit of perseverance. The Crocs, now riding the momentum of their first win, will advance to the FBA Finals. This championship game offers the Crocs a chance to secure their second FBA title as an organization. While there is uncertainty about whether the Crocs will return to the FBA next year, their focus remains on the present moment and the possibility of achieving glory in the finals.
The Crocs will face the Florida Flight in the FBA Championship, a rematch of their series back in 2021, which they won. The Flight earned their spot in the finals by defeating the Volusia County Serpents 103-92 in the semifinals. This highly anticipated championship game is set to be a thrilling showdown as both teams vie for the coveted title.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Clermont Crocs aim to complete their Cinderella story in the FBA Finals.
Jonathan Brown started SPCSN in 2018 as a sports highlight company and started with doing videos for friends and teammates at his Alma Mater Johnson University Florida. As he progressed as an athlete and sports broadcaster in college, he began to see a need for many small colleges and semi-professional teams. He became fascinated with local team markets and wanted to show the whole world what these teams showed. In 2019, Brown transitioned his business into a sports network focused on non-NCAA DI schools, semi-professional sports, and select minor/development leagues. Brown currently serves as the CEO and chairman of the board.
