Bulldog Basketball - Yesteryear

By Clint Cox

The 2007-08 Marianna Bulldogs have earned a berth in the FHSAA Final Four in Lakeland. A look back through the history books reveals that the Bulldogs made their first appearance in the final four in 1934. After beating Gainesville 22-20 in the semi-finals, the Bulldogs lost 25-20 in the championship game to Miami Edison. Their next appearance in the semi-finals occurred in 1951 where they lost to Seabreeze 47-33. Grey Wilson was the Head Coach for the Bulldogs at that time. Both of those appearances were at the University of Florida Gym in Gainesville.
Fast forward to 1977, which was the next time the Bulldogs made it to the Final Four and the tournament was now being held in Lakeland. After a 66-64 win over Ely, the Bulldogs fell to Leesburg in the championship game by a score of 71-51. They returned the following year and again won the semi-final with a 60-54 win over Bartow. They lost in the championship game 67-62 to Ocala Vanguard to have them finish as the state runner up two years in a row. The 1981 Bulldogs returned to Lakeland and won the semi-final by a score of 68-52 over Miami Edison. They then captured Marianna’s only state championship in boys basketball with a 67-52 win over Titusville. The last time the Bulldogs traveled to Lakeland for the Final Four was 1985 and there the boys from Marianna went down 57-51 to Jacksonville Bolles. The Head Coach for all of the appearances from 1977 – 1985 was Randy Free.