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Wesley Chapel has worked up a sweat along with a 38-17 record.
By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 23, 2002
WESLEY CHAPEL -- Two weeks after losing the Pasco County Summer Basketball League championship game, Wesley Chapel fell in the Hillsborough County final.
The Wildcats lost to Land O'Lakes in the Pasco tournament, then came up short Thursday in a 59-55 loss to Chamberlain at Armwood.
"It just shows we're playing good basketball consistently," coach Kent Mills said of his team reaching both finals. "When we go out there to play we go out to win.
"We're working very hard to equal last (season when the Wildcats advanced to the state tournament). We're not going to rest on our laurels."
Wesley Chapel led Chamberlain 30-26 at halftime but did not score again after a tie at 55.
"It was an even ballgame until the last two minutes," Mills said. "They hit their shots; we missed. That was it."
Eric Sorensen led Wesley Chapel in that game with 18 points. Travis LeMasters scored 14 and Zach Mills, the coach's son, had 12.
Wesley Chapel beat Jesuit 72-54 in the Hillsborough County semifinal. Mills, the only Wesley Chapel player to make the all-tournament team in the Firecracker Shootout earlier this month, led four Wildcats in double figures with 24 points. Marcus Stewart scored 18, Greg Harrison 14 and Chase Bussey 12.
Wesley Chapel is 38-17 this summer, and has played in four tournaments. The Wildcats will play in their fifth tourney at South Florida's team camp Friday through Sunday.
It will be the Wildcats' last time on the court together until the season begins in November. Florida High School Activities Association guidelines forbid teams from competing past July 31.
This past weekend, the team split up for a blue-white series at Wesley Chapel with the white winning two of three scrimmages.
"The kids are always fighting for playing time," coach Mills said. "We pit the players against each other; got a little grudge match going."