Lakewood beats Lee, will play for title

Lakewood will play for another state title.

The Spartans overcame foul trouble and a third quarter deficit to beat Lee 57-44 in the 5A state semifinal at Lakeland Wednesday night.

The Spartans (29-2) were led by the stellar play of senior guard Ed Nixon, who scored 28....Anthony Dorsey added 14.

Lakewood will play the Lake Howell Friday at 7 for their third state championship in six years. Lake Howell and Lakewood have been ranked No. 1 and 2 in the state, respectively, for nearly the whole season.

Now, they'll settle it on the court. Should be an exciting backcourt battle between LH's Florida-bound guards Nick Calathes (reigning Mr Basketball) and Chandler Parsons -- and Lakewood's senior duo of Ed Nixon and Anthony Dorsey...

For full coverage, read Thursday's Times........If you can't make it to Lakeland Friday night, follow live updates here on the blog - I'll be posting some play by play

-- JOE SMITH

(Pictured: Lakewood's Ed Nixon. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Lakewood Live Updates

?We're live at the Lakeland Center for the Class 5A semi between Lakewood and Lee (Jacksonville).....I'll be posting live updates here. To find the play-by-play, click on the "comments" link below....

Lakewood (28-2), the last Pinellas County team left standing, faces a Lee team making its first final four apperance in over four decades. With one win, the Spartans will give themselves a chance to play for their third state title in six years...

We're getting ready to tip off. Feel free to send any questions or comments..

Here are scores from earlier today:

1A

Pine Castle Christian 49, Boca Raton Grandview Prep 38

The Rock 51, Calvary Christian 38

3A

Florida Air 62, Ribault 40

PK Yonge 79, Pine Crest 72

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Calvary Christian falls in 1A semis

Calvary Christian, making its first-ever trip to the Final Four, saw its dream season cut short Wednesday morning at The Lakeland Center

In the Class 1A semifinals, the Warriors lost 51-38 to The Rock (Gainesville), getting held to their lowest point total of the season....Calvary Christiann (27-3) shot 25-percent and was plagued by foul trouble all game long (Kevin Cantinol and Marcos Quinones picked up 3 first half fouls)...

Calvary senior Brian Horrach had 10 points for Calvary. Cantinol fouled out with a minute left in his final high school game - he finished with 5 points.....He'll play at Mississippi next year

The turning point in the game, Calvary coach Dave Bintz said, was two minutes in - when Cantinol picked up his second foul and had to sit on the bench the rest of the quarter.

"He's our foundation," Bintz said. "And when he went out, it was tough for us."

The Warriors were admittedly nervous walking out on the floor, compared to the stone-cold Lions, which, in business-like fashion, took control of the game from the start. The Rock is battled tested, boasting wins over Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (55-46), Edison (Fresno, CA), and Gainesville High (51-49). The Rock lost by 2 to Dr. Phillips, which is playing tomm in the 6A semis...

Lions' senior guard Vytas Sulskis and shooting guard Josh Snodgrass each had 15 for the Rock. Sulskis signed with Youngstown State, the school's first hoops signee....

Stay tuned. I'll post live updates from the Lakewood-Lee semifinal at 7 pm......Just click on comments and you'll find them

-- JOE SMITH

(Pictured: Calvary Christian's Justin Kissner, left, and Jim Appelt. Times photo - Chris Zuppa. Click to enlarge.)

Final Four- Live Updates

We're live at the Lakeland Center for the boys basketball final four. Tipoff for the Class A semifinal between Calvary Christian (28-2) and The Rock (Gainesville) is in about 30 minutes...Check here for live updates for the matchup, which promises to be a good one...

Both teams are in their first Final Four. The Rock (25-7) boasts a big, skilled group, including several international players. The Lions big star is 6-6 guard Vytas Sulskis, a Lithuanian who averages 19 points 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He can do it all, and will be a big thorn in the Warriors side...

The Rock's other big weapon is shooting guard Josh Snodgrass. He averages 13 points, shooting nearly 40 percent from the 3-point line..

The Lions point guard is eighth-grader Scottie Wilbekin, son of the coach, who has started since he was in sixth grade. He'll likely be matched up with Calvary senior guard Brian Horrach, a four-year varsity player and one of the Warriors most impressive players down the stretch....

This will be one of the few times Calvary won't boast a big size advantage in the post. They have junior Christian bibi Ndongo (6-6) and Mississippi-bound senior Kevin Cantinol (6-9). They're more powerful and skilled than the Rock's bigs - including Lions 6-10, 265 forward Anton Tuz -- but we'll see how they match up in the open floor...

Calvary is bringing their entire school (about 250 students) on charter buses - they left after second period - so they'll have some friendly faces to calm their nerves....

Stay tuned, and feel free to post any questions....I'll also be posting updates from the Lakewood-Lee 5A semi at 7 pm, so stick by your computer and enjoy the show

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Wharton's Nemesis Honored

Three days after snuffing out Wharton's state tournament hopes with a 31-point effort in the Class 5A region finals, WInter Park Lake Howell's Nick Calathes was named a McDonald's All-American.

Calathes, a 6-foot-5 guard who has signed with Florida, enters the 5A state tournament averaging 28 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists. In Saturday's 70-59 triumph against Wharton, he sank all five of his 3-point attempts, including one from roughly 30 feet, after finishing last in the regional 3-point competition that preceded the game.

Wharton "knew how to win," Calathes said after the game. "We knew they were going to come after us from last year (a 72-43 Lake Howell triumph), and they're a great team, and I give it to them. They played really well."

Calathes will represent the East team in the McDonald's All-American Game, set for March 28 at 8 p.m. at Louisville's Freedom Hall.

Minor Tweaking Proposed For FHSAA Seasons

If a proposal by the commissioner of Florida's prep sports governing body goes through, the high school football season as we know it will remain pretty much intact.

Florida High School Athletic Association commissioner John Stewart announced Monday he will recommend to the FHSAA Board of Directors that the seasons for all fall sports be modified only slightly to reflect the later starting dates for Florida public schools for the 2007-08 year.

The proposal will be voted on by the board at a meeting in late March. For now, Stewart said he is authorizing all schools to resume their scheduling for the '07-08 sports seasons "within the parameters of the proposed plan."

Public schools in Florida may not begin classes next school year before Aug. 20. The legislatively-mandated later starting dates initially had many fearing the FHSAA's athletic calendars would have to be changed radically to comply with the new scholastic calendar.

"We are very confident that the Board of Directors will approve the proposed revisions, because they address the later starting date of school with the least amount of damage to our fall sports seasons," Stewart said in an FHSAA release.

Under the proposal, the fall sports seasons -- except for bowling -- will begin and end one week later than they did in 2006. Translation: Preseason classics for football will be held Aug. 24, and season openers will be held Aug. 31.

Other sports will feel a more profound impact, at least initially. Swimming and diving will lose a week of preseason practice in '07 only, and volleyball will lose the extra week of competition it was granted in '06 to ensure preseason classics won't be played before the first day of classes.

Final Four Finalized

Lakewood High is back to a familar spot: the Final Four. The Spartans (28-2) overcame a 10-point deficit to thump Charlotte, 83-53 Saturday night in the 5A-3 region final in front of about 1,300 fans in Punta Gorda...

Lakewood, two wins away from its third state title in six years, will face Robert E Lee (Jacksonville) Wednesday at 7 p.m. Lakeland. Lee is making its first Final Four appearance since 1961....

Wharton's season ended with a 70-59 loss to Lake Howell, ranked No. 1 in the state. They gave LH a better fight than most Florida teams cold this year...

In 2A, Tampa Prep advanced to the Final Four with a win over Community School....TP held the Naples school to just one point in the final quarter...

In 1A, Calvary Christian continues its banner year, advancing to its first-ever Final Four with a 80-70 win over Bradenton Christian....The Warriors play The Rock Wed at Lakeland at 11:30 am

--- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Region Final - Live updates

PUNTA GORDA -- The early-birds arriving at Charlotte High for tonight's region final between Lakewood and the Tarpons may be shocked at what they see.

The school, all but demolished by a hurricane in August 2004, has places on campus that "look like downtown Beirut," Charlotte AD Brian Nolan said.

The only two buildings that remained intact were the cafeteria and the gym, where the region championship will be decided tonight. Check here for live updates -- as well as the score from the Calvary Christian-Bradenton Christian 1A final

The Tarpons run - 14 straight wins - has been embraced by the small town. Nolan had to turn away about 100 people who showed up at 3 pm looking for tickets. Gates didn't open until 5:30

Lakewood just arrived, about one hour before tipoff. They ran into the same traffic logjam I got caught in on I-75. Quick tip: If you haven't left for the game by now, you're gonna be late...

Before the game, there will be the 3-point championship. The winner moves on to the state tournament next week. Representing Pinellas County are Billy Hobach (Seminole) and Largo's Mike Helm. Rob Alexander from Plant is also here...

Stay tuned, and feel free to post questions.....I'll keep you posted as much as I can..

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Road to the Final Four

Lakewood can punch its ticket to the Final Four with a win tonight over Charlotte High. It’ll be a tough test for the Spartans (27-2), who’ll walk into a pretty intense atmosphere in Punta Gorda (1,300 fans). Rumor has it, fans asked if they could camp out and wait in line for tickets, which will go on sale at 5:30 pm….

Don’t forget: If you cant make the trip, I’ll be posting live updates from Punta Gorda on this blog. I’ll also post score updates from the Calvary-Bradenton Christian game – which is sold out…

Here’s the skinny on Charlotte, a group that, as you will find, boasts many similarities to the Spartans….

The Tarpons have big, athletic wings – from the 6-4 to 6-7 range. They like to run the floor – and like Lakewood, they make a living off crashing the boards. Most of their possessions include a few touches inside. They’re a physical group that initiates contact in the key, drawing a ton of fouls (just ask Clearwater’s Luke Loucks, who fouled out and played just 11 minutes in a semi loss).

Oh yeah, and they can flat out shoot. Starters, bench players. Give them an inch, and they’ll pop from 3-point land.

They’re a tough team to scout, because any of three or four guys could lead them in scoring on a different night.

There’s 6-7 senior Timmy Snyder, a forward who often likes to play like a point guard. Most of his drives are from the baseline, or close to the hoop. He scored 27 vs. Clearwater, carrying the Tarpons on his back…..He’s only averaging like 8 pts per game, but he’s coming into his own after recovering from a broken finger suffered at the City of Palms Tourney.

Dago Pena, a wiry 6-foot-6 junior, has a Mike Morrison build but likes to float around the perimeter. As you’ll find out, the Tarpons don’t have that big guy with dazzling post moves; rather they’ll shoot from outside or just take it right at you. Pena (13.3 ppg) is a transfer from now defunct Florida Prep; he’s a guy who can get frustrated when he’s not getting the ball and can play a bit out of control. But when he’s on, he can wow you – a reason why USF has showed interest.

The Stephenson brothers. Jordan, a senior, is the point guard. Either him or his brother, Chris Stephenson (6-3) will bring the ball up. Chris (14.4 ppg) is really good when he gets the ball around the basket. He’s so strong, he can bully inside (he’s their leading rebounder 7.8 rpg)
His bread and butter is putting back offensive rebounds and drawing the foul. Like Jordan, he can also step out and shoot the 3.

Their fifth starter, 6-4 forward Ronnie Phillips, is a defensive tackle for the football team. He’s also a pretty good sprinter. He won’t beat you from the outside, but can pick up garbage points inside and play pretty solid  D.

As for the bench, the Tarpons are deep, boasting guards that would probably start for other teams in their district.
Senior guards Mike Wilkie and Matt Kautz are classic kick-out shooters – they’ll set up shot and make you pay for doubling down inside. As for reserve post players, DJ Goshay can come in and give the Tarpons a more traditional post up presence.

Overall, it should be a pretty competitive game. I know Lakewood is ranked No. 2 in the state and Charlotte didn’t crack the top-10, but the Tarpons have won 14 straight, they’re hungry, and they’re a group that has played together since they were 10 or 11 years old.

One place Lakewood could take advantage is with their press. They’re so quick, so long and athletic they can fluster Charlotte’s guards and , more importantly, keep them out of the flow of their offense. The Spartans are more comfortable playing at that helter-skelter speed.....

The Spartans also aren’t the kind of team that gets intimidated. They’ve played in big games – three of them have won a state title – and they’ve played in tough atmospheres.

I’ve posted Charlotte’s roster and schedule (with results) below. As you can see, their common opponents are Venice, which the Spartans drubbed in the region quarterfinals by 25, Clearwater (both beat them) and Boca Ciega.

“They’re a real good team,” Lakewood guard Anthony Dorsey said. “A lot like us. They beat bogie 80-48, so they must be good. We’ve never beaten them like that.”

YOUR TAKE: Who will advance to the Final Four?

--  JOE SMITH

Charlotte -2006-07 season
Arlington Country Day  L, 85-79
At Bishop Verot   W, 69-64
At Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch   W, 61-59
Bradenton-Bayshore   W, 76-48
At Port Charlotte   W, 69-49
At Bradenton-Manatee   W, 80-61
Bradenton-Southeast   W, 70-35
At North Port   W, 72-60
vs. New Orleans-Helen Cox   L, 60-70 (City of Palms)
vs. Pompano Beach-Blanche Ely   L, 81-100 (City of Palms)
vs. Decatur, Ill.-Eisenhower   W, 67-64 (City of Palms)
at Bradenton-Bayshore   W, 60-45
vs. Lakeland-Kathleen   L, 51-75 (at Lakeland Center)
Fort Myers   L, 70-76
Port Charlotte   L, 42-44 (OT)
Bradenton-Manatee   W, 82-51
At Bradenton-Southeast   W, 51-35
At Venice   W, 61-52
Kewanee, Ill.-Wethersfield   W, 80-47
North Port   W, 77-46
At Lemon Bay   W, 66-56
Venice   W, 63-56
At Sarasota   W, 72-60
vs. Auburndale   W, 68-47 (at Southpoint Shootout)
vs. Bradenton-Bayshore   W, 82-51 (District 5A-12 tournament)
vs. Bradenton-Southeast   W, 71-58 (District 5A-12 tournament)
vs. Venice   W, 53-41 (District 5A-12 tournament)
Boca Ciega   W, 80-48 (Region 5A-3 quarterfinal)
Clearwater   W, 68-61 (Region 5A-3 semifinal)

Charlotte Tarpons roster
10 - Timmy Snyder, 6-6, F, sr.
11 - Bryan Greenberg, 6-1, G, jr.
12 - Joey DeGaeta, 5-10, G, fr.
14 ‹ Ted Oboute, 6-3, F, jr.
20 - Chris Stephenson, 6-3, G-F, jr.
22 ‹ Matt Kautz, 6-0, G-F, sr.
23 - Jordan Stephenson, 6-0, G, sr.
24 - Michael Wilkie, 6-0, G, sr.
30 ‹ Bobby Ringerson, 5-10, G, jr.
32 - Tim Sylver, 5-11, G, jr.
33 ‹ Dago Pena, 6-6, G-F, jr.
34 - Renald Desir, 6-4, F, jr.
40 ‹ Zach Ruple, 6-5, F-C, jr.
42 ‹ Ronnie Phillips, 6-4, F-C, sr.
44 - DJ Goshay, 6-4, C, jr.

Times photo of Lakewood guard Ed Nixon. Click to enlarge. Photo by Lara Cerri.

Clearwater loses

The Clearwater girls basketball team lost 53-42 to Winter Haven in the Class 5A final at The Lakeland Center. The Tornadoes, who have advanced to the final four eight of the past 12 seasons -- more than any team in the state -- will have to wait at least another year for their first championship. Winter Haven got off to a quick start and led 34-14 early in the third quarter. Clearwater made a comeback, but it wasn't enough. Brittany Carannate scored a game-high 18 points, all on three-pointers.

In related news, Gulf's Jordan Schulman won the Class 4A 3-point shootout to advance to Saturday's final.

(Pictured: Clearwater's Keona Dixon. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

-- Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Clearwater in final

Greetings from Lakeland. Clearwater got off to a rough start against Winter Haven in the Class 5A girls basketball final. The Tornadoes scored first on a layup by Keona Dixon, then watched as the Blue Devils went on an 18-2 run en route to a 32-14 lead at the half. Clearwater, though, made a nice run, thanks to 3-pointers by Dixon and Veronica Ryan to cut the deficit to 11 late in the third quarter. I'll keep you posted.

-- Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Corral Stadium Set For Makeover

Jesuit High president Joseph Doyle announced Thursday morning the school will install a synthetic turf field and rubberized track at its on-campus stadium. The project will be funded by a combination of school financing and individual contributions.

Additionally, the field -- used for football, soccer, track and lacrosse -- will be re-named Alumni Field at Corral Memorial Stadium. It is anticipated the renovations will be completed in time for the 2007 football season.

Hoosier-style

For Calvary Christian's first-ever trip to the region basketball finals, the Warriors will pay tribute to the legendary sports movie, "Hoosiers."

The players and their families plan to meet up at one of their houses Friday evening for a potluck before they watch the classic, a film about a small-town Indiana high school basketball team winning the state championship in the 1950s.

Then, en route to the game at Bradenton Christian, there will likely be close to 40-50 cars (some painted) following the team's shuttle bus down 275......

Cheesy? Yeah, probably. But for the Warriors, who are making their first ever trip to the region finals, they're going to try to soak it all in....

The game will be a rematch of a game last month, when CC beat Bradenton Christian by 16 points (67-51). 

BC is a tough team, with a star forward, 6-foot-9 senior D.J. Magley. Magley will muscle inside with Calvary's bigs - 6-7 Christian bibi Ndongo and 6-9 Kevin Cantinol (Mississippi).

"It'll be a battle," Calvary Christian senior guard Brian Horrach said. "It should be a great atmosphere with the fans and everything."

Stay tuned. I'll post a full scouting report sometime tomorrow on Charlotte (Punta Gunda), the team Lakewood will play in Saturday's 5A region final.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photo of Calvary Christian forwards Christian bibi Ndongo (left) and Kevin Cantinol. Click to enlarge.

Jaguars Fall in 3A Semis

Thwarted by a superior inside game, the Academy of the Holy Names girls basketball team's season ended Wednesday afternoon with a 74-55 loss to defending state champion Tallahassee Florida High in the Class 3A semifinals at The Lakeland Center.

The defeat ended the brilliant prep careers of Jaguars twins Gianna and Catriana Messina, who now are headed for the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa, respectively. Gianna led all scorers Wednesday with 25 points.

Florida High (26-5), broke open an otherwise close game by outscoring Holy Names, 29-12, in the second quarter. University of Alabama signee Varisia Raffington led the Seminoles with 17 points, while 6-foot senior Jayme Warner had a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds).

Lakewood-Charlotte tickets on sale Thursday

Tickets for the regional final between Lakewood and Charlotte (Punta Gorda) will go on sale Thursday morning at Lakewood High, beginning at 8 a.m. at the front office.

For any questions, call the school at 893-2916. Tickets are $6

The region final will be played in Punta Gorda, roughly 80 miles from downtown St. Petersburg. The Tarpons have beaten two Pinellas County teams - Boca Ciega and Clearwater -- en route to the final.

Lakewood (27-2), ranked No. 2 in the state, has beaten Venice (runner-up in Charlotte's district) and Largo....They have been allotted about 300 tickets, and those fans will be sectioned off behind the Spartans bench...

For those who can't make the trip, I'll be posting live udpates from Punta Gorda on the preps blog Saturday night....

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Wharton-Lake Howell Tickets On Sale Now

A limited number of tickets for Saturday night's Class 5A boys basketball region final between No. 3-ranked Wharton and top-ranked Lake Howell now are on sale at Wharton High. Admission to the game, which tips off at 7 p.m. in Winter Park, is $6.

Tickets may be purchased at the school's main office. For information, contact Wharton athletic director Mike Rowan at (813) 631-4710. 

Hoop Scoop

We're down to the Elite Eight for each bracket in boys basketball, and when the dust was cleared, a handful Bay Area teams still have state title dreams intact.

Advancing to the region finals, Saturday at 7:

5A - Lakewood at Punta Gorda Charlotte; Wharton at Lake Howell.....4A Lecanto at Atlantic...2A Tampa Prep at Community School....1A Calvary Christian at Bradenton Christian

Lakewood advanced thanks to its one-man wrecking crew - senior Anthony Dorsey - who scored 16 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter. Lakewood led nearly the entire game, but Largo tied it up a few times in the third before Dorsey and the Spartans' several second-chance opportunities did the Packers in (LW wins 77-60.

Calvary Christian had to come-from-behind most of the game against Bayshore Christian, a team they had beaten twice already this season. But when the Warriors big men were unleashed (Christian bibi ndongo had 17, Kevin Cantinol had 16), CC outscored Bayshore 24-6 in the fourth quarter....

Clearwater put together a valiant effort against Charlotte on the road.....The Tornadoes actually lead after the first quarter, but with starting guards Luke Loucks and Nick Nickerson saddled with three early fouls, the Tarpons were too much. Loucks fouled out in the fourth with the game tied, and Charlotte went on a 10-0 run.

Nickerson scored 19, Loucks held to 7.

The 5A region finals should be some outstanding matchups: Lakewood vs Charlotte and Wharton vs Lake Howell. They'll definitely be worth the price of admission (or, if you live around here, the long road trip)...

YOUR TAKE: Which Bay Area teams will advance to the state Final Four?

Here are all the scores from Tuesday, just in case you're interested:

CLASS 6A
5. Lake Brantley 75, 12. Mandarin 58
8. Winter Park 78, 15. Flagler Palm Coast 67
2. Pompano Beach Ely 92, 12. Palm Beach Lakes 72
9. Boyd Anderson 71, 8. Santaluces 63
6. Dr. Phillips 73, NR Sickles 67
NR Olympia 78, 3. Lakeland 68
1. Dr. Krop 41, NR South Miami 37
7. Miami Northwestern 89, 4. Miami Killian 82, OT

CLASS 5A
10. Jax Lee 53, 16. Fort Walton Beach 44
14. Jax Wolfson 72, NR Rutherford 68
2. Lakewood 77, 9. Largo 60
11. PG Charlotte 68, 13. Clearwater 61
1. Lake Howell 97, NR NPR Ridgewood 80
3. Tampa Wharton 73, 8. Winter Haven 60
7. FTL Dillard 45, NR West Boca Raton 33
6. FTL St. Thomas Aquinas 76, NR Sebastian River 64

CLASS 4A
7. Milton 70, NR Alachua Santa Fe 38
6. East Gadsden 59, 10. Jax Jackson 51
2. Kathleen 52, NR Naples Lely 49
4. Lake Wales 66, NR Golden Gate 61
8. PO Atlantic 46, 11. Eustis 38
NR Lecanto 51, NR Bishop Moore 50
9. FTL Gibbons 70, 1. Cocoa 64
3. Msgr. Pace 77, NR Titusville 39

CLASS 3A
NR Hamilton County 76, NR Chipley 75
6. Jax Ribault 72, NR Marianna 52
3. Florida Air 67, 9. Berkeley Prep 57
5. Bishop Verot 45, NR Frostproof 30
1. PK Yonge 56, 2. Trinity Catholic 51
11. Mount Dora 75, NR Interlachen 37
8. La Salle 81, NR Am Heritage 70
10. Pine Crest 63, NR Gulliver Prep 43

CLASS 2A
NR West Gadsden 65, NR Freeport 50
11. Port St. Joe 71, NR Cottondale 33
4. Tampa Prep 49, 5. Father Lopez 43
7. Comm. School of Naples 60, 9. Lakeland Christian 58
6. Jax Providence 44, 3. Maclay 41
1. Arlington Country Day 90, NR Bronson 26
2. Summit Christian 81, NR Westminster Christian 56
12. Coral Springs Christian 60, NR Palmer Trinity 44

CLASS 1A
3. Tally JP II 72, 11. Laurel Hill 63
4. The Rock 58, NR Malone 32
8. Clearwater Calvary Christian 66, NR Bayshore Christian 53
12. Bradenton Christian 51, 6. Seffner Christian 48
5. Pine Castle Christian 54, 1. Lake Mary Prep 50
9. Orlando Christian Prep 54, NR Orangewood Christian 52
14. Berean Christian 67, NR Horeb Christian 59
10. Grandview Prep 80, NR FTL Calvary Christian 67

Photo of Lakewood senior forward Rashon Stewart. Click to enlarge

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Hoops Region Semis - Live Updates

We're live at Lakewood for the Spartans-Largo region semifinal. There's a line at the door for what should be a sold-out showdown (and rematch of last year's semi). I'll be posting live updates from Lakewood-Largo, as well as score updates from Clearwater-Charlotte and Calvary Christian-Bayshore, so stay tuned......

Feel free to post any questions......and predictions below

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Largo vs Lakewood - Part IV

Tickets were put on sale Monday morning at Lakewood for the Spartans' region semifinal showdown against Largo Tuesday night.

The Packers will have their ticket allotment (about 235 tix) on sale Tuesday at lunchtime (students) and at 2 p.m. (community members) at the gym's ticket window. Lakewood had about 140 tickets left as of noon Monday, and will sell until 3 p.m. The remaining tickets will be put on sale Tuesday at 8 a.m.

It'll be the teams' fourth meeting this season - once during the tipoff classic, another regular season, and the PCAC championship (all Spartans' victories). It'll be on Lakewood's home court, where they haven't lost yet this season.

Before you think blowout, remember this: Largo went into Lakewood on Dec. 8 and took a 13-point, second-quarter lead against the Spartans. The Packers failed to play a complete game, as Lakewood overcame the deficit and won 63-50 before going to Largo and beating the Packers for the PCAC title.

"Everyone is counting us out," Largo senior forward Charlie Lytle said. "But we're used to that. People have been counting us out all season."

Largo (23-5) has surprised even its coach this season, winning their second straight 5A, District 9 championship. The Packers had graduated Nate Johnson and Alex Gerhard (both at St Pete College), but rode their starting five to an impressive season.

The Packers starting five- Lytle, Tony Russo, Dionte Hall, Ben O'Donnell and Mike Helm -- play more than 90-percent of the minutes. But after watching the Packers practice Saturday morning, you can tell why they're most likely the best conditioned team in the county.

They're doing full-court 1 on 1, seven straight minutes of defensive slides (10 second breaks). After their two-hour practice, they went to the weight room.

The Packers' opponent, Lakewood, is known for wearing teams down. They also have a talented starting five - led by senior guards Ed Nixon and Anthony Dorsey (arguably one of the top backcourts in the region) - "They can take any of us one-on-one," O'Donnell said. "That's why we'll need great help defense."

The Spartans are also one of the region's deepest teams. They can bring guards Carlton Williams and Brandon Green off the bench, along with 6-foot-4 forward Rashon Stewart and 6-5 forward Irez Gray.

Lakewood's bigs - especially 6-6 junior Mike Morrison - give the Spartans an element they didn't have last year; some low-post scoring and major shot-blocking threats.

"They're a great team," Largo coach Phil Price said. "You have to play a perfect game to beat them."

**There are two other semis involving Pinellas County teams.

Clearwater (25-4) travels to Punta Gorda Charlotte (23-6), which is coming off an 80-48 rout of Boca Ciega. Scouting report on Charlotte is that they're deep, they can shoot from the outside -- and they have big athletic, wing players (6-5, 6-6).

It'll be a tough matchup for the Tornadoes, but Clearwater is playing well and completely healthy. Jordan Scholl is back from an ankle injury, Nick Nickerson is coming into his own. Clearwater will need a big game from point guard Luke Loucks, whom at his best, can really control the tempo of the game.

*The other matchup is Calvary Christian vs Bayshore Christian -- The Warriors have beaten Bayshore twice already this season, and must avoid a letdown against Bayshore. Calvary should keep what's worked so far - dumping the ball into their bigs, Christian bibi Ndongo and Kevin Cantinol (Mississippi).

YOUR TAKE: Which teams will advance to the region finals on Saturday night?

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Photo of Lakewood's Ed Nixon and Largo's Charlie Lytle battling for the ball

Former Jefferson QB arrested

South Carolina recruit Stephen Garcia was arrested early Saturday morning in a restaurant and nightclub district near the university and charged with drunkenness and failure to stop for a police officer.
According to an incident report from the Columbia Police Department, the 19-year-old quarterback recruit from Jefferson High was approached by an officer responding to a report of an altercation outside a building.
Garcia ran from the officer and tried to hide in an alley, according to the incident report. When the officer caught up with him, he turned toward the officer “in a threatening manner.”
The officer smelled alcohol and said the subject was unsteady on his feet.
“Stephen has made a mistake, and I know he understands that,” said first-year Jefferson football coach Mike Fenton, who has not spoken to Garcia since the incident. “I also know he has a lot of character and a strong family behind him and he will learn from this.
“When you’re in a high-profile position like he is you have to make sure to be extra responsible.”
  Garcia, who was named to the Class 4A all-state first team, enrolled at South Carolina last month. He was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond Saturday evening.

-- Compiled from Times staff, wires

(Times photo - Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

Brandon wins state title

Brandon clinched its seventh consecutive state wrestling championship and 18th overall Saturday at The Lakeland Center. Sean Joyce defeated Dunedin's Dante Graham 10-4 in the Class 2A 145-pound final to earn his fourth individual state title. The Eagles' Eric Grajales (112 pounds), Joe Cozart (125) and Tom Timothy (160) also won their weight classes, while teammates Kevin Timothy (130) and Keith Koziel (152) dropped their championship bouts. Springstead's Schyuler Swanton (103, 2A), Tampa Baptist's Clark Glass (103, A), Gulf's Mike Calafiore (130, A), Armwood's Ruben Perez (135, 2A) and Chamberlain's Patrick Spano (152, 2A) also won individual titles.

(Pictured: Brandon's Joe Cozart. Times photo - Chris Zuppa. Click to enlarge.)

LIVE CCC UPDATE AT STATES

Clearwater Central Catholic has just kicked off with American Heritage Plantation here in the last final of the season. Bad start for CCC -- AH scored in the second minute to take a 1-0 lead. Click the comments link below for live updates.

Brandon Wright

(Pictured: CCC's Brian McArdle. Times photo - Willie J. Allen Jr. Click to enlarge.)

LIVE PHU UPDATES FROM THE STATE FINALS

One more match to go as the PHU Hurricanes look for back-to-back state titles against the team they beat in the finals last year -- Auburndale. Perfect day for soccer: cool and no wind to speak of. Click on the comments link below to send any questions. I put a banana and a beer can into my computer's Flux Capacator and we're keeping our fingers crossed it will run a lot smoother today. There just getting ready to kick off.

Brandon Wright

(Pictured: Auburndale's Jonathan Brayn, left, and Palm Harbor U.'s Brad Salemi. Times photo - Willie J. Allen Jr. Click to enlarge.)

Brandon nears wrestling title

Brandon on Friday advanced six wrestlers to the Class 2A finals. With 179.5 points, the Eagles lead second-place Bradenton Manatee (121) by 57.5 heading into the final day of competition, which resumes with wrestlebacks at 10 a.m. Saturday at The Lakeland Center. Manatee has six in the wrestlebacks, compared to four for Brandon. Eagles 145-pounder Sean Joyce will be trying for his fourth individual state championship when the final round begins at 6 p.m. Other Brandon finalists are Eric Grajales (112 pounds), Joey Cozart (125), Kevin Timothy (130), Keith Koziel (152) and Tom Timothy (160). The Eagles seek their seventh consecutive state championship and 18th overall.

-- TERRY JONES, Times correspondent

(Pictured: Brandon coach Russ Cozart and wrestler Phil Uno. Times photo - Chris Zuppa. Click to enlarge.)

Gryphons Coach Resigns After Postgame Incident

Sickles softball coach Angela Irwin resigned Friday, less than 24 hours after being confronted in a threatening manner by a parent following Thursday night’s loss to Countryside.

The parent, meantime, has been banned from all school activities by the administration, Principal Jake Russell said in statement released by the School District of Hillsborough County.

Assistant Dennis Reddick will coach the Gryphons on an interim basis the rest of the season. The release indicated neither Russell nor Irwin would be available for comment.

CCC IN THE STATE FINAL

CCC and P.K. Yonge are getting ready to kick off about 15 minutes late. It's a chilly day down here in Fort Lauderdale. CCC looks to have a decent number of fans here. As for P.K. Yonge...I don't see 10 fans!!! Clikc on the comments link below for live updates throughout the match.

Brandon Wright

Region Hoops - Live Updates

We're live at Largo for the Packers-Chamberlain region quarterfinal. Another light went out in the yet-to-be-filled gym, making it probably the darkest gym in the county (we'll see how that plays out)

I'll be getting feeds from Lakewood-Venice, Clearwater-Middleton, Oldsmar-Bradenton, Bogie-Charlotte, etc. So I'll post any scores and scenes I have from here.

Feel free to send me any questions....

-- JOE SMITH

LIVE PHU UPDATES FROM STATES

PHU'S (20-4-1) 5A state semifinal match against Niceville (23-4-3) will be starting around 2:30 p.m. Auburndale just beat St. Thomas Aquinas in the day's first match in double overtime and will play the winner of PHU and Niceville in Saturday's championship. PHU beat Auburndale 3-0 last year in the state title match. The weather here is perfect for soccer: cool, slightly breezy and overcast. I'll be updating throughout the match and feel free to send me questions.

--Brandon Wright

Region Hoops - Live Updates

The Boys Hoops Playoffs continue tonight with some interesting region quarterfinal matchups. I plan on posting live updates from the Largo-Chamberlain game, a rematch of last year's region finals.

If it's anything like last year's showdown - a 56-55 Chamberlain win - then it'll be worth the price of admission.

Largo is playing well right now, and will need another big night from their big man - 6-foot-8 senior Charlie Lytle (pictured). Lytle scored 21 points and hit the game-winning FT's to beat Clearwater on Saturday, but tonight, his biggest contribution could come on the defensive end.

Chamberlain's one-man wrecking crew, 6-foot-5 forward Steven Figueroa, can apparently do it all. He can post up, shoot from the outside and take guys off the dribble.

As for some of the other region matchups, here's a skinny. I'm going to try to post score updates on the other games as well, so stay tuned:

**St. Petersburg at Lakeland -- The Green Devils will have their hands full with Lakeland, ranked No. 3 in the state. St. Pete scored just 27 points in a loss to Sickles in district title game, and will need to get their offense in gear tonight. Sophomore Shamon Cox is capable of scoring 27 on his own, but St Pete should get forward Geno Green involved - if he gets touches, that'll take some pressure off the perimeter shooters

**Clearwater (24-4) at Middleton (14-14) -- If you ask Clearwater coaches, Middleton doesn't play like a .500 team. Jack Coit said they remind him of Gibbs, an athletic, scrappy team capable of beating anyone. After beating Plant and Chamberlain on back-to-back nights, Middleton is playing the best it has maybe all season.

The Tornadoes will be helped by the return of starting guard Jordan Scholl. He sprained his ankle last Friday but seemed to move around pretty well Wednesday at practice. The matchup to watch, however, is Clw senior swingman Justin Morin against Middleton's top scorer, Khiry Anfield, who scored 21 of his 26 points in second half vs Chamberlain.

** Venice vs Lakewood at Eckerd College -- The Spartans are coming off another district title, and have a big advantage in depth. Besides their star guards, Ed Nixon and Anthony Dorsey, Lakewood boasts a bulk of big forwards with MIke Morrison, Rashon Stewart and Ronnie Lane. Point guard Reggie Reed has been at his best as of late, and he'll need to make sure Lakewood dictates the pace against a Venice team prone to slowing things down.

** Boca Ciega at Charlotte -- The Pirates have shown they can beat some real good teams this season - winning the Hooters Tourney, beating Clw and Largo (everyone except Lakewood, whom they lost to 3 times)...The key is simple - shooting percentage. If their senior guard trio shoots well from the outside (and the free throw line, where they struggled a lot this season), Bogie can hang in there

** St. Petersburg Catholic vs. Bishop Verot -- The Barons knocked out BV the past two seasons, but this time, SPC enters the tourney without a district title and a home game. SPC has started slow the past couple games, and it came back to bite them against Berkeley Prep in district championship game......Senior forward Ed Rolax should get plenty of touches - when he's involved early, especially on the offensive end, that frees up junior guard Tracy Parks, their leading scorer.

** Calvary Christian vs Sarasota Christian (sold out) - Calvary Christian is healthy, and playing well. Their big guys, 6-7 Christian bibi Ndongo and 6-8 Kevin Cantinol, give them an advantage inside. But Sarasota can make things interesting with their full court press and streaky 3-point shooting

**Oldsmar Chr at Bradenton Christian - The Eagles aren't short on guards -- scorers Chris Perez, David Minaya and Leo Liriano give them a strong trio. But they don't have the big guys inside, which could be trouble against BC's 6-9 center D.J. Magley, who's committed to Western Kentucky.

YOUR TAKE: Which teams will advance to the region semis on Tuesday? Who's most capable of tallying an upset?

--- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photo of Largo senior Charlie Lytle.  Click to enlarge

Canterbury coach from Cali?

The Canterbury football coaching search is apparently coming down to the wire.

Canterbury AD Dave Smith said the school has narrowed the field to three finalists, and that "an annoucement should come in the next week."

As for the finalists, the school's "No. 1" guy is a candidate from California - the Los Angeles area - who is flying in this weekend for an interview. The two others are "local candidates," Smith says. Those coaches have received phone interviews so far.

Smith said, depending on what happens with the Cali candidate this weekend, there could be a couple more formal interviews next week with the other local guys.

Smith declined to name the candidates - as a private school, they have more discretion -- because he didn't want it to take away from the process.

Canterbury is replacing Shannon Brooks, who resigned after last season to take an assistant head coaching job/offensive coordinator spot at Lakewood.

-- JOE SMITH

SPC tabs Creneti

Tod Creneti was put in quite an interesting situation Tuesday night as he was introduced as St. Petersburg Catholic's new football coach.

Creneti, 37, comes from Melbourne Central Catholic, where he served as football coach and dean of students.....The MCC girls basketball team was in town Tuesday to play SPC in a girls basketball regional playoff game, and Creneti (wearing Barons colors) was asked which side he'd sit on:

"I'll be behind the basket," he joked.

Creneti's Barons are admittedly behind the eight ball. With the prolonged coaching search, there hasn't been an organized offseason weightlifting and workout schedule (that will end Tuesday, Creneti said).

"Kids are resilient," he said with a grin.

Resilience is a big reason he got the SPC job. Creneti inherited a MCC program in '04 plagued with FHSAA problems. The school tried to sue the FHSAA after one of their players was denied a hardship waiver and ruled ineligible. Usually, when you litigate with FHSAA, you get expelled. But MCC "got off" with a two-year postseason ban and had to pay more than $16,000 in fines (2,500 for infraction and about 14,000 for legal costs)

Creneti went 12-18 in three years at MCC, but left it in better shape than when he got there, his former boss says. "He's a tremendous person," MCC principal Sue Rauch said. "He has a great spirituality about him, he really knows how to get the best out of kids."

SPC principal Father John Serio said Creneti is the right guy at the right time. Serio admittedly wavered back and forth between Creneti and the other finalist - former Florida lineman Thaddeus Bullard, who now plays for the Tampa Bay Storm. Bullard, who has been a defensive assistant (most recently at Cypress Lake), put together an impressive package, which included letters of recommendation from Steve Spurrier Jeremy Foley and Gov. Charlie Crist (Bullard worked on his campaign last year). Bullard said Tues night he'll more than likely end up as a defensive assistant somewhere (could be at a school that plays SPC, which would be interesting)....

But Serio said Creneti stood out because he had head coaching experience, has roots in the area (Lakewood assistant 99-04 and youth director at local church), and has experience dealing with FHSAA sanctions....

SPC will enter its second year of a three-year postseason ban imposed by the FHSAA in May for recruiting violations and illegal practices. The Barons finished 5-5 last year after winning their final four games.

As for his coaching staff, Creneti plans to bring two of his guys, MCC OL/DL coach Matt Parker and former Lakewood qb Donnie Davis. Creneti said he will also retain some of SPC's current staff -- he met with four or five SPC assistants Tuesday night after his introduction cermony. He may try to find other local coaches to fill his staff, but that's still up in the air

Obviously, having someone on-site will help get spring football preparation started, as Creneti is still under contract at MCC and is still unsure when he will move here and start (although he will be full-time and on-campus when he gets here).

Creneti said he wants to "put in some roots here." His parents live in Bradenton (his father, Frank, was a long-time HS coach in Virginia). His sister works at Lakewood. He has other relatives in St Pete, where one of his two daughters (Gabriella and Sophie) were born...

Said Creneti: "There's no place I'd rather be."

For more on Creneti's hiring, check out Wednesday's Times

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Garcia's Son Lands King Football Job

Earl Garcia III was formally introduced as King football coach at a Monday afternoon press conference, sporting the same attire -- shirt and tie -- he said his players will be required to wear on game days.

"There are a lot of y'all sitting here right now that are not going to play for us," Garcia told approximately 30 prospective Lions players who convened in the school media center for the press conference. "We're not going to cut anybody, but just the way we're going to go about it and work at it, some of y'all are not going to be able to keep up."

The son of longtime Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia, the younger Garcia, 26, was chosen from a group of 26 applicants that included former local coaches Bud Hodgens (Robinson), Dale Caparaso (Pasco) and Bill Schmitz (Jesuit). Current Berkeley Prep coach Frank Sullivan also applied.

A 2005 graduate of Florida Atlantic University, he has never been a head coach. He spent the previous two years on former Lions coach Joe Severino's staff, the last as defensive coordinator for a team that finished 4-6.

"He sees a football coach as more than X's and O's. He sees it as a man forming the lives of young men," King principal Carla Bruning said. "That kind of an impression on them could last a lifetime, because a lot of our kids would use him as a father figure. He will be their role model and he will be a mentor to a lot of these kids."

A special-education math teacher at King, Garcia will earn an annual coaching supplement of $3,284.34.

 

Largo-Clearwater live updates

Largo and Clearwater's boys basketball showdown for the 5A, District 9 title promises to be another back-and-forth thriller. I'll post live updates from Palm Harbor in this thread

Stay tuned

-- JOE SMITH

Satellite 3, Palm Harbor 0

Satellite took a two-goal halftime lead and never looked back, defeating defending 5A state champions Palm Harbor 3-0 for the title.

"It's hard to be upset when you lose to a team as talented as (Satellite)," PHU coach John Planamenta said. "Their speed was something we hadn't seen before."

Satellite (25-2-1), ranked No. 3 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, snapped Palm Harbor's (21-2-0) 19 match winning streak. Satellite's Tishia Jewell, who was named 5A Most Valuable Player, scored a pair of goals.

Times photos by Willie J. Allen Jr.; click to enlarge.

PHU vs. SATELLITE IN THE STATE FINAL

Greeting form Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Satellite (24-2-1), the No. 3 team in the country, and Palm Harbor (21-1-1) are getting ready to square off here on a beautiful sunny day. SateI just walked down on the pitch and its in great shape even after the 12 matches played so far. I talked with PHU coach John Planamenta moments ago and he said the girls are ready. He pointed out that PHU knocked off the No.1 team in the country, St. Thomas Aquinas, last year on their way to the state title.There getting ready to kick off. Click on the comments link below for live updates.

--Brandon Wright

The Rubber Match Matters

The boys district basketball championship matchups are set, and in three of them, rubber matches will decide the title:

**There's Largo-Clearwater Part III, which will be at 7 at Palm Harbor Saturday night.

The Packers, owning the top-seed due to a tie-breaking coin-flip, pulled away in the fourth of their 54-39 win over host PHU Friday night. Forward Mike Helm led the way with 21.

Helm and guard Dionte Hall will need to come up big again against Clearwater, which survived a scare against Dunedin Friday (the falcons pulled within 2 with 2 minutes left).

The last two Largo-Clearwater games went down to the wire - the Packers losing in OT at Clearwater, and Charlie Lytle's big block helping Largo beat the Tornadoes in the rematch.

*St. Petersburg Catholic will go for its sixth straight district title Saturday night against No. 1 seed Berkeley Prep (at CCC at 7 pm)

The Barons, playing their best basketball of the year, have avenged early losses to Tampa Catholic and Berkeley in the past few weeks. On Friday, they overcame a 13-point deficit to beat TC, 64-53. It was a tale of two halves - with TC hitting 8 3s and beating the Barons on the fast break in the first; then, SPC bullying TC inside with Ed Rolax and Jaggar MacDonald

The key to this rubber match (SPC won the last one in OT) will be the tempo. Berkeley loves to push the ball in transition, and SPC is better defensively in the half-court sets.

*St. Pete-Sickles (at Countryside, 7 pm)-- The Green Devils controlled 6A, District 7 throughout - until a late slipup against Sickles. St. Pete has the inside-outside combo of Geno Green and sophomore star Shamon Cox, who is one of the county's top scorers and rebounders.

*Lakewood-Boca Ciega (at Eckerd, 7 pm) - The Spartans, ranked No. 2 in the state, won the previous two matchups this season - which both followed the same form. Lakewood takes a lead and Bogie battles back, but struggles with turnovers and FT's in the second half.

The Pirates are definitely capable of beating Lakewood - they've beaten Largo and Clearwater this year -- it's just a matter of which Bogie team shows up.

** Admiral Farragut vs Tampa Prep (at Keswick, 7 pm) - Farragut upset Indian Rocks to get into the championship against Tampa Prep, which has cruised throughout the season. Even though Farragut will have its hands full, as we've seen recently with Dunedin beating Pinellas Park, anything can happen come playoff time....

*Calvary Christian vs Oldsmar (7 pm at Oldsmar)- A rematch of a previous OT thriller, when Calvary beat Oldsmar to give coach Dave Bintz his 500th win.

In the game, Oldsmar star David Minaya fouled out early in OT, and the depth-depleted Eagles can ill-afford for that to happen again. They've got some talented guards in Minaya, Chris Perez and Leo Liriano - can they stop Calvary's bigs (Cantinol and bibi Ndongo)?

YOUR TAKE: Who will win each district - and why?

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Photo of Largo's Mike Helm and Clearwater's Jordan Scholl. Times photo by Ted McLaren. Click to enlarge

Today's Matchup

Palm Harbor (21-1-0) looks to repeat as 5A state champions today when the Hurricanes play Satellite at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Here's a look at PHU's opponent:

Satellite (24-2-1)

-Nicknamed the Scorpions

-Second-year head coach Brett Terry is 53-3-1.

-Only losses were to American Heritage 4-1 and West Shore 4-0. West Shore beat CCC in the region semifinals.

-Satellite has six double-digit scorers. The Scorpions are led by Allison Griffin's 39 and Tishia Jewell's 35.

-In 25 matches, Satellite goalkeeper Morgan Savage has given up 22 goals. PHU's keepers (Victoria Wyandt and Monica Lee) have given up five goals all season.

-Satellite gave up four goals in the final three  games of the regular season.

-The Scorpions are ranked No. 3 in the Country according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and first in their region. PHU is ranked 10th in the same region.

-Satellite has 2 state titles while PHU has 3 and both teams have won consecutive championships. The Hurricanes won back-to-back titles in 1999-00 while Satellite did the same in 2002-03.

--Brandon Wright

District Final Moved

Saturday's Lakewood-Boca Ciega boys basketball district final has been moved from Bogie to Eckerd College.

The game, for the 5A District 11 title, will still be at 7 p.m.

300 tickets will be pre-sold at each school Friday, with 400 available at the gate Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m.

The Spartans, ranked No. 2 in the state, have beaten the Pirates in both matchups this season

YOUR TAKE: Who will win?

-- JOE SMITH

PHU vs. Niceville

It's a bit cloudier than during the Newsome/Satellite match, giving the players a little break from the sun. They just did pre-match introductiosn and the teams are lining up. Hillsborough/Pinellas County is 0-2 so far at the Final Four, we'll see if the defending 5A state champions Hurricanes can change that.

B.Wright

GREETINGS FROM FORT LAUDERDALE

Welcome to the day's first 5A girls soccer semifinal between Newsome (17-2-1) and Satellite (23-2-1). The weather at Lockhardt Stadium ins perfect and the pitch is in great shape. The teams have just kicked off. Click on the comments link to stay up to the minute with live updates.

--Brandon Wright

Dunedin shocks Pinellas Park

In a wild night of boys basketball district playoffs, Dunedin pulled off one of the season's biggest upsets.

The seventh-seeded Falcons beat No. 3 seed Pinellas Park, 51-43 Wednesday night in the 5A, District 9 quarterfinals at Palm Harbor.

Dunedin (6-20) trailed by 11 points after the first quarter, and their two top scorers -- seniors Ricky Melendez and Matt Gilghrest -- played most of the second half with four fouls.

But the Falcons slowed the pace, playing strong overall team defense against the Patriots (19-6). Dunedin's Jarvis Parson helped shut down one of the county's top shooters, PP junior Cam Carden (9 points).

Dunedin's shooter, Melendez, racked up four 3 pointers and a team-high 16 points to lead the way. His two 3s in the fourth, "knocked the wind out of Pinellas Park's sails," Dunedin coach Joshua Walker said.

"Ricky stepped up big-time," Walker said. He caught fire."

Dunedin moves on to the semis on Friday to play Clearwater, the No. 2 seed, which beat Tarpon Springs Wednesday night.

In another thriller at PHU, No. 4 Palm Harbor beat No. 5 East Lake, 64-62, in overtime -- making the second straight matchup the Hurricanes have beat the Eagles in OT.

This time, PHU was up and East Lake battled back, thanks to senior guard Josh Garcia, who scored 21 of his game-high 27 in the fourth quarter and OT. Garcia's two free throws sent the game into the extra session.

But it was PHU forward Adam Pegg who it a turnaround jumper with 4 seconds left to seal the deal.

PHU will play Largo Friday in the other semifinal....

In 5A, District 11, it'll be another Lakewood-Boca Ciega matchup for the championship (Saturday 7 pm at Bogie). Lakewood beat Dixie Hollins and Boca Ciega beat Gibbs Wednesday..

Photo of Dunedin senior Ricky Melendez. Times photo by Dirk Shadd. Click to enlarge.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

SIGNING DAY '07 WORLD TOUR: DUJUAN HARRIS, TROY

Signing Day Snapshot: Guidance Office at Central High School, 2:30 p.m.

DuJuan Harris, RB, Troy University

She was going to take a second job as a construction worker.

Let that sentence sink in.

Rose Jones — the lady with the soft skin and the bright smile and the two school-age daughters  — was prepared to put on a hard-hat and go to work so her son could go to college.

Forget the recruiters that disappeared after DuJuan Harris’ senior season. Forget the text message the Central running back received from a Bethune Cookman coach informing him the school was no longer interested. Forget the stress, the hassle, the nights spent wondering where he would land.

“We would have found a way,” Jones said moments after watching  her youngest son, the one they nicknamed Foxx, sign his letter of intent to play football and attend class at Troy University in southern Alabama.

It is revelations like these that zap away the mundaness of signing day and launch us back into the sobering reality of it all: for Harris and many kids like him, today represents the ultimate opportunity. For every John Brantley, or Torrey Davis, or Noel Devine — players who have spent the last two years of their lives playing recruiters like fiddles and marinating in the spotlight — there is a fringe player praying for a simple chance.

A top-rated defensive line like Armwood’s Davis might fetch over 100 scholarship offers before he makes his decision.

Harris received two, the first of which came less than a month ago.

He did everything he needed to as a high school senior: rushed for over 1,600 yards, scored 19 rushing touchdowns, torched a Top 10 team in the playoffs for over 200 yards. He qualified academically. He stayed out of trouble. He ran a purported 4.32 40-yard dash at a Florida State camp over the summer.

Yet he didn’t get a sniff.

“After all the calls he was getting before,” Jones said, shaking her head.

Harris and Central coach Cliff Lohrey sent out tape. Upwards of 40, the coach says. They thought USF, which had seemed to show some interest in Harris earlier in the year, might be an option. But after Harris paid a visit to a Bulls’ practice in November, it became apparent that the school wasn’t going to offer.

They thought that Florida International, which snagged Central offensive lineman Andy Leavine late last season, might have interest. The Golden Panthers fired their coach. Lohrey didn’t hear a peep.
By December, Division I-AA schools Bethune Cookman and Florida A and M were the only school showing interest. Then, one afternoon, came the cruelest blow.

A Bethune Cookman coach sent a text message saying the school was no longer interested.

Not a phone call. Or a visit.

A text message.

Harris contemplated walking on. He talked to his girlfriend’s father, who played at Florida State, about the thought. Jones, meanwhile, started thinking about a second job.

In mid-January, Florida A and M eliminated that possibility. Harris toured the Rattlers’ Tallahassee campus. They offered him a scholarship. He wasn’t thrilled. The facilities were old. The competition was subpar. Still, it was a scholarship, and he accepted.

“That was the only time I saw him stressed,” Jones said.

With one signature, however, it all became moot. Troy swooped in late, drove him to its campus, and offered him the chance to open his freshman season against Heisman finalist Darren McFadden and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The kid who played his cards right, who made it 18 years without succumbing to  a neighborhood that drags so many of its residents down to its level, signed his ticket out.

“Growing up, he never went outside,” said Harris’ 19-year-old brother LaDorrian Jones, “unless he was playing football.”

Now, he’ll be playing it in college. And, he’ll be doing it for free.

“It’s a blessing,” LaDorrian said. “That’s what it is.”

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1407

CHARGERS BLANKED

St. John's Country Day defeated Shorecrest today 4-0 in the 2A state semifinals at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium. The Chargers mustered just one shot compared to the Spartans 25. The Chargers, making their second final four appearance in a row, end the season at 15-5-3.

Palm Harbor plays Niceville Thursday at 2 p.m. in one 5A state semifinal while Newsome meets Satellite at noon.

--Brandon Wright

Patchan Sighting

Amid the friends, relatives and reporters who convened in Armwood High's lobby for national signing day ceremonies Wednesday was an imposing surprise visitor: nationally coveted junior lineman Matt Patchan.

A first-team pick on the Times All-Suncoast squad at Freedom last season, Patchan announced last month he intends to transfer from the New Tampa school. He visited Jefferson on Monday before arriving at Armwood with his father, Matt Sr., on Wednesday.

"He's checking out these schools academically, talking to the guidance departments," Matt Patchan Sr. said Wednesday. "That's what that was about today."

The elder Patchan said his family intends to move into the geographic district of the new school it selects, which would enable Matt Jr. to play in 2007.

According to Sonny Hester, Florida High School Athletic Association associate commissioner for compliance and eligibility, state law allows a student to participate in athletics at the school in which he or she is enrolled on the first day of classes.

"The state law makes kids free agents every summer," Hester said.

Whoever lands Patchan (6-foot-7, 265 pounds) will instantly upgrade their offensive line dramatically. Patchan said he already has received more than 30 scholarship offers, including ones from every major state university.

Voss is in

Alton Voss signed with USF, as expected. He says the Bulls told him he was their man, and he'll probably redshirt his first year and then train his sights on the starting QB job.

( Pictured: Alton Voss, center, and Gulf coach Jay Fulmer, right. Teammate John Palasky, seated left, signed with Benedictine College in Kansas.
Times photo - Brendan Fitterer. Click to enlarge.)

Signing day world tour '07: Land O'Lakes High School

(Consider this an assist to Dave Murphy who is leading this signing day tour. He was stuck in traffic and took a detour to Wharton.)

SIGNING DAY SNAPSHOT: 8:55 a.m. -- Just outside of room 500 inside Land O'Lakes High School.

Joe Weatherford, QB, signing with UCF.

Dressed in a blue polo, khakis and leather shoes, Joe Weatherford stands before a Catch 47 camera and talks about his decision to sign with UCF. The 6-foot-3, 190 pound quarterback then walks into a small auditorium and sits at a table alongside three teammates - Dontarrius Thomas (Wayne State [Neb.]), Darrick Fullwood and Jerome Blyden [Fort Valley State (Ga.)].

As Joe signs he becomes the fourth Weatherford to ink a college football scholarship following Will (Jacksonville), Sam (Fordham) and Drew (Florida State). His father, Bill, brother John, and teary-eyed mother, Cathy, watch Joe sign his letter of intent just after 9 a.m.

Joe said he looked at 30 schools before picking UCF. The Golden Knights open a brand new on-campus stadium Sept. 15 against Texas, and Joe expects to compete from Day One for the starting QB job. He also becomes part of what is expected to be arguably the top signing class ever at UCF. 

THE PEN: I was too far away to see the actual pen, though it looked dark and appeared to write.

THE AUDIENCE: Roughly 20 or so were on hand including parents, administrators, teachers and basketball coach Dave Puhalski who wants everyone to know Land O'Lakes plays Wesley Chapel tonight at Central in the Class 5A, District 7 tournament. It's No. 2 vs. No. 3 seed so it should be a good game.

THE FOOD: Brownies and croissants.

THE CLASS HE MISSED: Joe would never cut class for something a silly as signing day.

UP NEXT: Dave and I suffered a communication breakdown. Last I heard he was roaming the halls of a New Tampa high school.

-- Izzy Gould, Times staff writer

SIGNING DAY '07 WORLD TOUR: DINO COX, JAMERE JOHNSON, JOSH JONES, JOE GRIESSER

SIGNING DAY SNAP-SHOT: 10:30 a.m. -- Wharton High School Library

Dino Cox, DE, Florida Atlantic

Jamere Johnson, DE, Florida Atlantic

Josh Jones, LB, Elon

Joe Griesser, LB, Elon

They were wearing shirts and ties and they answered questions in a timid manner, and as they flashed smiles for their parents' cameras, it was easy to forget that the four high school seniors at the front of the room were the backbone of the most feared defense in Hillsborough County this season.

But they'll gladly offer a reminder.

"We took no prisoners," said Johnson, a defensive end who had 10 sacks. "We felt as if we couldn't be stopped."

It makes sense, then, that these four teammates will pair off and attend college together: Johnson and Cox to Division I-A/BCS Florida Atlantic, Griesser and Jones to Division I-AA/FCS Elon.

Granted, this wasn't always the plan. Cox, who will play defensive end at FAU after registering 8.5 sacks at nose tackle this past year, was looking at Florida A and M, Illinois St and Charleston Southern before he committed to the Owls on Jan. 14th. Johnson, meanwhile, thought he was heading for North Carolina A and T before FAU offered him on Jan. 26th.

Jones committed to Elon a couple of weeks ago. But it wasn't until one of the Phoenix's assistants saw a tape of Griesser in late January that their interest in the Wildcats' other linebacker picked up.

"Me and Josh have grown up together," Griesser said. "We've played on the same team since little league, and we played against Jameer (Johnson) in little league. It's going to be nice."

Both pairs of teammates will become roommates once college starts. And, four years from now, perhaps all four will be on the field together as senior starters wreaking havoc.

Said Cox: "It shouldn't take four years."

SIGNING DAY SCRAP BOOK

THE PENS: Black with blue ink, supplied by Wharton's athletic director

THE AUDIENCE: 26 people. Mostly parents, coaches, administrators, and teammates.

THE FOOD: None.

FUN SIGNING DAY FACT: Elon linebackers coach Shane Burnham, who recruited Griesser and Jones, is the son of USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham. The Phoenix play the Bulls next season in the 2007 season-opener.

THE OUTFITS: Cox wore a white shirt with a gray tie. Jones wore a marroon (Elon's primary color) button-down shirt. Griesser wore a red shirt with a blue and yellow tie. Johnson wore a shirt and tie, with a black sweater over top of it. Why the sweater? "It was cold," he said.

UP NEXT: Stay tuned for blog entries on Land O'Lakes and Gulf signings. At 2:30 p.m. we'll have pen-stroke by pen-stroke coverage of DuJuan Harris' signing with Troy!

(Pictured: Tito Dixon, Josh Jones, Jamere Johnson, Joe Greisser. Times photo - David Murphy. Click to enlarge.)