Hoop Scoop

There was a sold-out showdown between Lakewood and Bogie, two overtime thrillers and a coach’s 500th victory Friday night, capping off a wild week in boys basketball.

*First, the foul-fest at Boca Ciega. The Pirates hosted Lakewood, ranked No. 3 in the state in 5A, in front of around 1,200 fans. For two extremely athletic teams, the game was stuck in a snails’ pace – thanks to a combined 45 fouls (and just 32 field goals). Three starters fouled out, including Bogie point guard Steve Andrews, who was gone before the fourth.
In the end, it was Lakewood senior guards Anthony Dorsey (21 points) and Ed Nixon (16) who stole the show, leading the Spartans to a 54-45 win.
The victory puts both Lakewood and Bogie at 6-1 in Class 5A, District 11, with the two rivals playing again at Lakewood Jan. 26. In that game, the Pirates shooters will have to do better than zero 3-pointers and 17-34 from the foul line (which they did on Friday)

*Seminole shocks East Lake – In the most thrilling of Friday night’s games, Seminole overcame a 5-point deficit with 50 seconds left in overtime to beat East Lake, 69-66. The Eagles, coming off an overtime loss to Palm Harbor the night before, sent the game into overtime on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Austin Geiger.
East Lake then took an early 7-point lead in OT before Seminole stepped up. The Warhawks were led by senior sharp-shooting guard Bill Hobach (29 points), who scored 10 of the Warhawks 12 points in OT. That included the game-winner, a 7-foot shot which kissed off the glass to give Seminole the lead for good. Bryant Lumpkin had two huge steals to seal the deal.
Seminole is one of the county’s hottest teams, having won 9 of 12 after starting the season 0-4. Yes, of course, that includes a win over Lakewood.

*Bintz gets No. 500 – Calvary Christian boys basketball coach Dave Bintz, featured in Friday’s Times (http://www.sptimes.com/2007/01/12/Northpinellas/With_cancer_down__mil.shtml), earned his 500th-career victory Friday as the Warriors outlasted Oldsmar Christian, 47-44 in OT. Calvary Chr guard Brian Horrach, shaking off an injured ankle, hit a clutch 3-pointer to send the game into overtime, which the Warriors controlled after Oldsmar’s top player, David Minaya, fouled out.

*Largo in driver’s seat – This time, Largo closed it out. The Packers, having lost a heart-breaker to Clearwater earlier this season, beat the Tornadoes on Tuesday at home. The district and conference game, clinched by a clutch block by senior forward Charlie Lytle, puts Largo (14-3) in a tie with Clearwater for first in the district. But it also gives them a leg up when it comes to representing the North in the PCAC title game (Feb. 2). The Packers do, however, have a brutal stretch next week, a three-game in three-night slate that includes games with Palm Harbor and Boca Ciega on back-to-back nights.

*St. Pete stunner: St. Petersburg star sophomore Shamon Cox, one of the county's top scorers, nailed a buzzer-beating, 35-footer to help lift the Green Devils to a huge win over Sickles on Tuesday, giving St. Pete a leg up on the district race.

YOUR TAKE: Which teams will play for PCAC title?
CHECK IT OUT: The boys basketball stat leaders and Super Seven will run in Sunday’s Times.

-- JOE SMITH

Comments

In regards to the foul fest.......that is exactly what high school basketball has become. Don't blame the officials...if they don't call the fouls it gets rougher and rougher. Nobody plays 'real' basketball anymore.....no screening, etc. Everything is 'hand check, run over your opponent, and trying to be the best leaper.' Basketball is not even close to what it should be or what it was envisoned to be which is a game of movement, agility, speed, and angles.

i agree 100%...!

Ok joe what about, Cam Carden with his 1000 point, or the fact that pinellas park after starting out 3-2, are now 9-1 and have more than a "clear" shot at taking it all, coming up they have: at east lake, at largo at home Against lakwood, clearwater as well........you tell me who has the hardest schedule inthe county?! why arent they a contender?

dont talk about how seminole is the countys hottest team....who have they really played besides lakewood????

[Joe Smith]

Re: Pinellas Park.

Of course Pinellas Park is in the hunt. I've written about them countless times this year, including my mid-season report and a big feature on their family

That's why I asked for your opinion on who would play in PCAC title game - cause it's up in the air right now

The Patriots will surely get tested, however, with their remaining sked - LW, Clw, Largo.

The next few weeks will definitely be interesting, with most of the contenders facing each other.

-- JOE SMITH

[wooden otb]

p park has the hardest schedule remaining for a reason.they have played the easiest so far,how many wins do they have against largo-clearwater-lakewood or bogie.with some quality wins,you become a contender-until then,be happy beating the lower tier,its the first year in a long time you could.

I love these 2nd tier teams that beg for attention because they play the good teams close but can't beat them. Pinellas Park isn't not a contender, plain and simple. They are a fantastic up and coming team with a great coach.......they are exciting to watch.....but that doesn't make them a contender.

How does pinellas park have the hardest schedule when ALL of the north county teams have to play eachother home and away and at least have to play each south county team(usually away)? STOP WHINING. Until you beat a good team your not allowed to put yourself up there with the big dogs.

wooden otb you act like clearwater has played in so many tough games.....just largo lost one of two, lakewood lost, and bogie LOST! so what makes them so much better, yes they beat pinellas park and largo but thats pretty much it! clearwater is a great team no doubt, but dont say that they have had a rough season they have lost what 3 games along with largo and ppark..

PALM HARBOR WILL PLAY FOR PCAC!!!!

[wooden otb]

they also beat bogie at bogie,or did you miss that one--- who has p.p. beat,and lets not go to 2a for their best win.and also remember how easily they beat p.p.,what was it 19-2 early and subbed all game maintaning a easy lead---it was never a game.and as for palm harbor- thanks for the laugh

[Buckets]

LARGO DOMINATES THE C WHAT..........

HAHAHA WOODEN WHATEVER!!!!!

[wooden otb]

split last year and this year--- now thats true domination ???? however ,its always a great game.unlike p.park

[wooden otb]

clearwater or largo vs. lakewood....but this time the north will win.most likely at the free throw line....

Largo Vs. Bogie

[wooden otb]

what 2 teams are going to beat lakewood to allow bogie to get in ??

Come on guys, let's be real. No Pinellas team can argue about how 'hard' their schedule is since everyone basically plays the same schedule?

The PCAC, which is a joke by the way especially since everyone is playing each other all the time anyway, will be Lakewood v Largo.

[Walton]

1St Coach Carden has done a great job in the last 3 years and PParks future looks real Good. But they will need to start beating the Clearwater's and Largo's before they can be considered a real thereat but keep your eye on theme. Oh to the post about Palm Harbor winning the North and playing in the PCAC go buy a clue and get a life.

Walton F**K YoU, PALM HARBOR IS THE SHIZZZ NET

[La24GO]

wooden i think you had better get your act together losing isnt good......winning is

re: ppark....the fact of the matter is this amazing team and coach are considered talented enough to be in the super 7...that in and of itself speaks volumes ---- and to the "stop whining" guy....what do you mean "Until you beat a good team your not allowed to put yourself up there with the big dogs"? - first: ppark's record has put them up there with the "big dogs"; get real - ppark didn't just call the paper and say, "hey list us in the top 7 and tell your readers were are contenders" ---- secondly: you don't think that ppark has beaten any "good teams"...you don't consider Calvary or East Lake or St. Pete or PHU good teams...?

[little credit]

That is true, But look at this you ppark has losses to the big teams.But have you look at clearwaters losses, they loss to three teams in the super seven, yes they beat bogie but they also lost to them. PPark has losses to 3 good teams and so does clearwater. so can we lay off ppark a little bit. Its a first time they have won more than 10 games since 1996 ,give them a little credit. A win a against st pete, phu, clavary are big wins for them because over the years they werent used to winning.They just worrying about competting.

I just want to know when next year comes around when ppark returns all there players and blows all the good teams away. I wanna hear the excuses. But thats next year i think they can do it this year.

[wooden otb]

you must mean the end of the year,because bragging over wins against eastlake and phu tells you all you need to know about p.park,next year will be the same.you are still a couple fries short of a happy meal.no one talks about you ,not because you are under rated-its because you are a non factor in the county,try bowling or something....good luck

[wooden otb]

heres a good check for p.park.take any one of the starters from largo-clearwater-lakewood and put them on p.park and they would all start. not true with all the p.park 5.

WOODEN YOU ARE NO COACH, NOR A VERY INTELLIGENT BEING....unless you tell me your name you are just a coward!

[wooden otb]

list your name and number and ill call you--funny,but i do not see your name but im a coward,i could be worse,i could have to follow p.park basketball.keep dreaming and maybe it will come true,try to click your ruby slippers,some how i picture you wearing them..

[wooden otb]

by the way,ive coached more victories than p.park has in the last 5 years.but who has not...... kind of like bragging about beating phu and eastlake....you understand

[LARGO ALUM]

WOODEN OTB, you are mad just because largo beat clearwater and largo will always own the clearwater What?

Leave It to the players to decide the trash talk you have no room to talk because YOU do not have the final say, the players on the court do!

[LARGO ALUM]

WOODEN OTB, you are mad just because largo beat clearwater and largo will always own the clearwater What?

Leave It to the players to decide the trash talk you have no room to talk because YOU do not have the final say, the players on the court do!

[LARGO ALUM]

WOODEN OTB, you are mad just because largo beat clearwater and largo will always own the clearwater What?

Leave It to the players to decide the trash talk you have no room to talk because YOU do not have the final say, the players on the court do!

[Woodens Back]

first of all largo does not own clearwater... largo owns the biggest population of brokeback mountain hitch hikers in the tri county area... As for the Patriots, Cam Carden can shoot the lights out... resulting in why PPark is so horrible from its poor lighting conditions in their gymnasium

Pinellas Park is bragging about being in the top 7 when there are only 16 public schools in the county

hahahahahah

[LARGO ALUM]

wooden otb you are a stupid fu*king b*tch!!!!!!!!! LARGO!!!!!!

[wooden otb]

wow,these are some brilliant points,its a honor to be in such a intelligent group,i can see why p.park and now largo should not have reunions.as if these people actually graduated.----try to make basketball comments,youll catch on...come to a real game sometime,maybe you will learn something.

silly boys. in general, reason people become so belligerent is because they feel threatened.... wooden, why are you so threatened? if ppark is nothing, pat them on the back for being really lucky this year and be confident in knowing that YOUR team is superior; quiet confidence is much more appealing than bullying behavior ---- for the person who talked about the 16 public schools --- first: you are actually wrong....calvary is listed...private school...the super seven includes all the high schools, not just the publics... and second: even if it was only including 16 schools, ppark is listed as #5...that means better than 11 of the 16 teams playing...again, not too shabby for a team many of you feel is so overated... just give these hard-working guys a little respect for trying to put ppark on the map ---- gawd.

Nobody said overrated.......just not a top tier team...........they can not and will not beat a Bogie, Clearwater, Lakewood or a Largo...........

So, they can take pride in being the best of the rest.

[Walton]

Could someone tell me what a "SHIZZZ NET" is?

"SHIZZZ NET IS LIke " MAN THAT IS PRETTY AWESOME YOU ARE THE AWESOMEST

Largo really has no more room to talk now, thanks to bogie...neither does clearwater

I think bogie got lucky against clearwater ... thanks to the lousy traveling call on a defensive rebound in the final seconds of regulation which enabled bogie to tie the game ... I think clearwater has plenty of talk.

No They LOST! PERIOD LOST.....WHICH MEANS BOGIE WON! SO CLEARWATER CAN SHUT THERE MOUTHS AND GIVE SOME CREDIT WHERE ITS DUE!

did bogie lose to clearwater by like 12 or 20 points? lol

yeah clearwater beat them once but bogie beat them it a much BIGGER game... hooters championship!

How is the coaching legend Mike Wells doing at Admiral Farragut? When his roster is not jam packed with 6'6 kids from Brazil or the Caymans he does nt seem to be as effective.

[wooden otb]

yes,hooters is no doubt the biggest game bogie will play in this year.....enjoy

NO wooden i meant...and i will put it in all caps for you since you must be stupid! CLEARWATER LOST TO BOGIE IN THE HOOTERS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! CLEARLY THIS WAS A BIG GAME AND IT SHOWS THAT LOUCKS CHOKES UNDER PRESSURE, NAD THATS NOT THE ONLY THING HE CHOKES ON!

[wooden otb]

well,i guess you would not submit it if you did not have first hand information.stupid,wow!! what a brilliant comeback,this and loucks choking on other things,stop..your killing me,better have your players start looking for aau teams. by the way,did you see where bogie was ranked in the state poll......same as always.....NO MENTION...IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE THE SURPRISED LOOK ON MY FACE..

[nickyboy]

Wooden and "Whoever" quit talking so much smack with each other, it's (the ridiculous,childish smack talk) is getting old. I am sure neither one of you have ever played in a game that meant anything and likewise, don't know a thing about Pinellas County basketball and the history of this county. In alphabetical order (so i don't show any favortism) Bogie, Clearwater, Lakewood and Largo are the best programs in the county and USUALLY have been for the last 25 years( a total of 6 times ! ) Pinellas Park (finally) is much improved and appears to have a very good coach, but they are not quite in the class of the other 4, but on any given nite.....well, u know what can happen. ONLY Lakewood and Bogie are the two programs that have been to the state Frinal Four in the last 15 years !! the other two teams (Clearwater and Largo...just talk about it- collectively thay have been there ONCE and Clearwter was embarrassed) If i had to bet, i would bet on Largo even though the Tornadoes have better players, as Largo clearly has the better coach. In any event, IF all 4 teams come in first and second in their respective districts, the we may see a big game between some of them that means something....you lose and you go home and then can all finally shut your yaps !

[iGoByTheBook]

thanks, nickyboy....it is refreshing to hear an impartial and educated voice... i find myself spending alot of time defending ppark against these silly boys....and although i am a diehard ppark fan, truly it is more about letting people know it is okay to acknowlegde the talents of all the players and teams...

bogie fan ... "CLEARWATER CAN SHUT THERE MOUTHS" ... this is not the proper use of the word "THERE" ... a mouth is considered a place which Clearwater is clearly the owner of ... the word "THEIR" is correct … bogie fan, I can understand how this may confuse you ... MOUTHS being a place, so you think you need to prefix it with THERE which refers to a place ... but, THERE is referring to something CLEARWATER owns therefore you need to use THEIR which shows ownership ... it would be like my kids saying "ARE WE THEIR YET" ... they know better ... bogie fan ... they say "ARE WE THERE YET" ... they would never say "ARE WE THEIR YET" because they know better.

lol

The Park Boyzzz are getting real good... They have a good chance of winning and beating wut u guys call the top teams... If not this year i still think they can do it, next year they will blow everyone out... Its hard for teams that dont recuit player to win... SO STOP CHEATING AND GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wooden otb]

nickyboy-- you must be a great scout--you can read my comments and tell if ive played in big games..wow! most people have to watch somebody play to tell.did you watch p.park play lakewood?my comments are relative to this year,not 15 years ago-- and this year clearwater is better than bogie and you know it. p park is a lower tier team...you dont drop games by 25 to another county school and whine about respect.ps. ,,, if you want to play,since you are now questioning me playing basketball,not my opinions on basketball,i will be happy to play you south of ulmerton...if not,keep your comments to spectating.i enjoy your views,good luck in the tournament.

wooden otb what does that mean? and man everybody should have seen that lakewood ppark game both teams played bad and the refs were clearly for lakewood.....since the game was originaly supposed to be at pinellas parks gym but no ref showed up? Interesting conspiracy i believe.....just so lakewood can play in front of their very rude crowd of fans, also at the end of the game lakewood didnt even shake hands with park... does anybody else know of this happening to their team?

[wooden otb]

i did not see the game--but why the love for park-- they are average at best.. wooden otb is because i am from the same town as coach wooden and otb is for" on the beach."dont read to much into it,i do not think i know the game as coach wooden,it is more out of respect for a coach that time never past by. the game changes but basic coaching and integrity does not....or should not.

how did loucks choke under pressure? he was the only one keepin them in the game... don't hate on players who are better than u, if you even know how to play

[wooden otb]

nickyboy---i have been told clearwater played in the final 4 in 2003-2004 and the state final in 2004-2005.above you stated bogie and lakewood were the only ones in the last 15 years---whats up with that!!!!

Lakewood Vs. ? Hopefully Tarpon?!!!

To "how did loucks choke under pressure? he was the only one keepin them in the game"

That is because he dribbles to much and everybody does not get involved. Yes he can do that against the palm harbors of the world, but not against the bogie's, Largo's, and Lakeland's ... so don't say he was the only one keeping them in the game ... he was also the only one keeping them out of it

[nickyboy]

Wooden otb; sorry, u feel that i insulted your ball playing ability...that was not my intention. So, please accept my sincere apology. i was merely trying to state to you and the "mystery" writer, that smack talk is childish and generally, those that "have been there" don't need to run smack. As far as playing you in a game, i would imagine i am old enough to be your grandfather (age 64)! Also, you are correct is stating that the Tornadoes did go to the Final Four in 2004 and 2005..and i stand corected. I was WRONG...and i don't have a problem admitting things when i am wrong. I did see the P-Park at lakewood game and the Park got man-handled. Lakewood was way too athletic for the Park. I still believe the Park has vastly improved and will be a top 3 county team next yesr. I still am just not sold on Clearwater (or any other Pinellas County team getting to the Final Four this year as it is a "down" year in the county. BUT...as mentioned above....i have been wrong before

how can you say loucks does not get everyone invovled? he leads the county in assists, and if i remember correctly he had 9 assists against bogie when clw lost. i admit, sometimes he does get carried away with his dribbling through triple teams, but to say that he doesn't get everyone involved shows your lack of knowledge. i also assume you meant lakewood insted of lakeland, as clearwater has never played lakeland.

louks also leads county in turnovers.

Loucks Is A Little Bi*ch

[iGoByTheBook]

well that comment about luke was completely uncalled for.... please remember that these are 16 and 17 year old kids... i don't care who you are, if you can't show enough respect for us, please show that you respect yourself.... some of us are here to express our opinions about the games, the stats the teams, but to pick on individual players and call them names.... immature, disrespectful and as i said, completely uncalled for.

I go by the book stop your non sense who cares coit is a elf and morin is a washed up wannabe highschool superstar who will be lucky to play in a old mans league when hes 25 and out of shape!