Pasco: Back on the court

Back on the court

Tyrone Tomlin adds muscle to the Wesley Chapel frontcourt.

By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer

WESLEY CHAPEL -- He's back. But on the basketball court?

That's where the trouble started for Tyrone Tomlin, who tore his right anterior-cruciate ligament last season before Wesley Chapel made its run to the Class 3A state semifinals.

"It was hard to watch, so hard I don't even want to talk about it," Tomlin said. "It was so tough, because I wanted to be out there."

Tomlin spent the offseason in rehabilitation and wore a big knee brace for his senior football season on his way to 1,391 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns.

After football, Tomlin switched to track. While the basketball team started practice and played its first two games, Tomlin trained with his track teammates for the sprint events he missed last season.

But there he was at Pasco High's Dr. Donald McBath Activity Center on Dec. 13 for Game 3, wearing one of those snazzy new Wesley Chapel uniforms, diving for loose balls and making a leaping grab at every rebound that came his way in an 84-57 win.

Tomlin said he had his doubts about playing basketball this season but realized he belonged on the court. He said he doesn't fear re-injuring the knee as he waits for a football scholarship.

And he's not the only one back. Chris Roberts, who played linebacker and also returned to the team this season at forward.

"I was doubting if I really wanted to come back," Tomlin said. "I was wondering, 'What if this? What if that?' But Chris and I decided to get back on the court with Zach (Mills) and all of the guys we've played with for years.

"We just wanted to get back together."

The Wildcats lost just two seniors from last season's team and now have two 6-foot frontcourt players who can help out with the team's most critical needs: defense and rebounding.

Roberts and Tomlin have been playing with this same Wildcats core since their youth team days. Roberts played varsity basketball as a sophomore, and played with the Wildcats over the summer. Tomlim missed a season, too, but being one of the county's top athletes helps make up for lost time.

"He's still got some football legs," coach Kent Mills said. "But he's 6-foot and he plays like he's 6-6. He's explosive, he's what we need in the box, he's emotional and he's dedicated."

With Zach Mills at point guard, Eric Sorensen at shooting guard and David Simpson in the post, Wesley Chapel doesn't need help scoring.

"When (Tomlin) came to me, I said, 'I don't need you to score,' " the coach said. " 'I don't care if you score. I need eight boards, three dives on the floor, four steals and an emotional pickup on the floor.' "

Tomlin knows he still as a lot of work to do. He's familiar with the system, but his absence has dulled his offense and his relationship with teammates.

"At first there was an airball here and there, and I was just throwing it off the backboard," Tomlin said. "I need some time."