Panthers learn lesson in camps

LECANTO -- After watching Lecanto go 0-7 in the large-school division at the University of Florida team camp in June, Panthers coach Chris Nichols quickly put a finger on what ailed his squad.

Chemistry and conditioning.

Because the Panthers graduated all but two starters from last season's regional semifinal team, the lineup was filled with youth and inexperience.

It didn't help that several players had not committed themselves to the weight room in recent months.

"That was sort of a wake-up call," Nichols said.

"In some of those games, we had leads, but basically everybody we played was bigger and stronger. We had practiced maybe twice before going to UF. It was our first experience together as a team, and it looked like it."

Three weeks later, after several hours in the weight room and many more committed to individual instruction with coaches, the Panthers headed to Team Camp USA in Tallahassee fitter and perhaps wiser.

Lecanto finished 9-3 and reached the Group B semifinals. Among its victims: Georgia power Wilkinson County.

"They understood that we've got to work together, and they did a good job of making that commitment," Nichols said. "Everybody really stood out (in Tallahassee)."

Lecanto's top players at Team Camp USA were point guard Landon Baize, shooting guards Jerry Tipton and Drew Zimbro (the team's leading scorer at camp), forwards Bruce Emberley, Scotty Johnson (a Lecanto transfer) and Justin Quinn and center Jeremy Jensen. Baize and Emberley are the lone returning starters.

"We didn't hit the shots at Florida, but we hit a lot of shots in Tallahassee," Nichols said.

"In the three weeks since going to Gainesville, we lifted weights three times a week. Of our top 12 guys, consistently, there were nine and 10 guys in there lifting."

Nichols was especially pleased with Lecanto's offense, which executed well largely because the Panthers were patient with the ball.

Baize, as he did last winter, cooly ran the offense, and his teammates converted scoring chances.

"We waited until we got the shot we wanted, so that was nice," Nichols said. "But we've got a lot to work on.

"There are so many little things we need to improve. Our defense has got to get better. The potential is there. I really feel like we have the potential to have a good season.

-- Keith Niebuhr can be reached at 860-7337 or niebuhr@sptimes.com.

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