Hoop Scoop - Part 2

It was another wild night of basketball, with two Pinellas County county boys hoops teams claiming tournament titles (and a few more in the running for one Saturday night)

The champs: Palm Harbor's boys basketball program earned its first title of any kind Friday night, beating Ridgewood 65-61 in the William Hulton Jr Ram Classic. Star forward Adam Pegg had 17 as one of three PHU starters in double figures.

Then there was Calvary Christian, which won the McKeel Tournament. The Warriors beat Plant City 71-58, largely thanks to the spectacular night by guard Brian Horrach -- he scored a school-record 39 points in earning tourney MVP honors

IN THE HUNT: At the Hooters Holiday Classic, Clearwater and Boca Ciega advanced from their semis Friday night and will play Saturday at 7:30 at Eckerd College.

Clearwater played well defensively, leading into their trademark transition game to hold off St. Pete, 71-64. Bogie, on the other hand, won by nine over an upstart Pinellas Park team. The finals showdown between Bogie and Clearwater serves as a rematch from earlier this season, when Clearwater won

One things for sure, you'll definitely get to see some talented guard matchups (aka Bogie's Nehemiah Simpkins and Clearwater's Luke Loucks)

Also playing for a title on Saturday is Keswick Christian, who just so happens to be the host. They won by 12 over Upperroom Academy to cruise into Saturday's finals.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE: The Largo boys were once again the Cardiac Kids Friday night, winning yet another nailbiter. After an OT victory in the quarterfinals, Largo beat a tough Bishop McNamara team, 67-66, to advance to Saturday's championship game.  Charlie Lytle has been solid all tourney long, and he put up 22 Friday night

OLDIE, BUT GOODIE: Oldsmar Christian advances to the Chase Memorial Tourney finals Saturday night - thanks to a 30-point effort by Chris Perez in the semifinal win over host Hudson. Oldsmar faces Wharton, ranked No. 5 in 5A and 20-point winners over St Pete Catholic on Friday.

OVERMATCHED: Lakewood ran into a buzzsaw, aka Decatur (GA), ranked No 10 in the nation. The Spartans lost 62-39 in the semis of the Kingdom of the Sun Tourney in Ocala, but will play in the third-place game Sat at 6 against Williston.

YOUR TAKE: Which teams will take home championships Saturday night?

-- JOE SMITH

Comments

BOGIE.......