Cocoa Beach's girls varsity basketball team secured a 47-44 victory over New Smyrna Beach on December 11 at New Smyrna Beach High School. The win improves Cocoa Beach's season record to 12-11, while New Smyrna Beach falls to 16-6. The game was part of a non-conference matchup between the two Brevard County schools.
The Minutemen, playing on the road, held off the Barracudas in a tightly contested game that saw both teams trade leads throughout the fourth quarter. Cocoa Beach's defense limited New Smyrna Beach to 44 points, despite the Barracudas shooting 38% from the field. The Minutemen shot 42% from the field and made 18 of 24 free throws.
Cocoa Beach coach Sarah Mitchell said the team focused on executing their game plan despite the hostile environment. "We knew they'd be aggressive," Mitchell said. "Our kids stayed composed and made the plays when it mattered." New Smyrna Beach coach Marcus Carter praised his team's effort but acknowledged the gap in execution. "We missed some key shots in the fourth quarter," Carter said. "Credit to Cocoa Beach—they made the plays we didn't."
The game drew a crowd of over 200 fans, many of whom filled the stands in the final minutes as the score remained close. The victory gives Cocoa Beach a boost heading into the final weeks of the regular season, while New Smyrna Beach looks to regroup ahead of the upcoming district playoffs.