Hoop scoop: Chamberlain clips Middleton in thriller
Think Chamberlain senior guard Mike Plummer is quick?
He's also clutch.
The 5-foot-9 guard drained a free throw with one second left to beat district foe Middleton, 48-47 in a thriller at Chamberlain Thursday night. The Tigers (3-1) missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer with four seconds left; Plummer grabbed the rebound and raced the length of the court before getting fouled on a missed layup.
The game was a rematch of last year's district title game, when the Tigers upset the then-defending state runner up Chiefs 60-48. Middleton, led by senior guards Corey Thomas (14 points) and Khiry Anfield, had the Tigers off to a strong start, with wins over Land O'Lakes and Tampa Prep.
But Chamberlain (2-1), which boasts another one of the county's best backcourts with Dontavis Adkins and Plummer, showed why this could be one of the toughest districts.
For the full Chamberlain-Middleton game story, check Friday at www.highschool.tampabay.com
Want another clutch free throw? How about King's Antoine Gardner, hit a game-winning FT with 1.1 second left to lift the Lions past Freedom 45-44.
*In a matchup of two of the Times Top Eight, Berkeley Prep went on the road and beat Oldsmar Christian, 60-49 thanks to a strong team defensive effort; no Buc scored in double-figures, but they shut down one of Pinellas County's top scorers, Chris Perez to nine points (around 20 below his typical night).
*Brandon pulled away and beat Bloomingdale 68-60 thanks to 20 points by Marcus Morrison. The Eagles outscored by 10 points in the third quarter.
Brandon travels to play Wharton (1-4) on Monday; the Wildcats, having to replace four starters from last season, are still trying to find their groove.
YOUR TAKE: What's been the biggest surprise in boys basketball so far?
--- JOE SMITH
Times photo of Dontavis Adkins
The St. Petersburg Times High School Sports blog is written and compiled by the Times preps sports staff from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We invite your participation in the comments area.
the biggest surprise (and disappointment) in boys basketball thus far is that you are not covering pinellas county anymore, joe. seems like we haven't gotten any decent print coverage yet....box scores....wow. a line or two here and there about people signing and an article on the lakewood coach. the preview films are nice, but that's about it. we miss you.
Posted by: | November 30, 2007 at 02:49 PM
your right wildcat fan. our team page wasn't up to date. that will be fixed. thank you.
Posted by: Joe Smith | November 30, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Get your facts right....Wharton is 1-4 not
0-5. They beat a wild, undisciplined, and poorly coached Tampa Bay Tech team Monday night. They will also beat Brandon another poorly coached but talented team on Monday at Wharton! GO WILDCATS!
Posted by: | November 30, 2007 at 02:23 AM
Clearwater Is Winning!? I thought they would be horrible but hey!, You Have To give that like coit mouse a chance he's just so small and weird!!!
Posted by: | November 29, 2007 at 10:04 PM