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High praise, indeed
By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer
LAND O'LAKES -- More athletic. That's what Land O'Lakes coach Dave Puhalski said when comparing this season's 9-8 Gators with the 1999-2001 juggernaut team that went 55-7 in two seasons, won two Sunshine Athletic Conference championships, two district titles and 30 consecutive games against Pasco County foes. Say what? Now bear Puhalski out. Note that he didn't say this season's edition of the Gators was better. How could he? Those Gators were the best in school history, a wonder to behold. Technically sound, fundamentally solid, they were virtual layup machines, masters of the back-door pass, experts at the bank shot. They rarely missed an assignment, could shoot lights-out from 3-point range on in and could smother an opponent defensively. But that team had the benefit of its core players spending three varsity years together. What Puhalski's current team lacks in experience, execution and polish, it more than makes up for in raw natural ability. What it lacks in perimeter shooting, a 1999-2001 era-staple, it compensates for with athleticism. And it can play pretty good defense, too, the best the school has seen since that 1999-2001 run. It's why Land O'Lakes is 6-3 in Class 4A, District 8 and in second place behind Ridgewood. It's the reason why the Gators lost by a combined seven points to the hottest teams in the county: by two to Ridgewood and by five to Wesley Chapel. That's why Land O'Lakes is chasing the No. 2 seed in the district, perhaps setting the stage for a return to the playoffs for the first time since -- you guessed it -- 1999-2001. This team has a long way to go to catch up the glory of that squad. But they're in the hunt. "I feel comfortable that on any given night we can beat anybody on our schedule," Puhalski said. When the coach compares this year's lineup to the starters on the best team in school history, it becomes a compelling case. "I think they are more athletic," he said. "If you look at it position-by-position. Brett Ruvolo is a better shooter and scorer than Jordan Schebell was (at point guard). "Logan Payne is probably a better athlete than Jeff Baisley (at shooting guard), but the thing about Jeff is he was a better shooter and basketball player. I've got Drew (Weatherford) against Brian Baisley (at forward). You're looking at two very good athletes, but Drew probably has the edge there. "A.J. Brown is probably a little better athlete than Ryan Van Blarcom (at forward). Sam Weatherford had the experience (at center), but Caz Piurowski has a much bigger upside." There are other differences, some flattering, others not. The Gators of two years ago were intense and business-like in practice. This edition plays at its best when it's loose -- but can easily lose focus and intensity. Those Gators were true basketball players, plain and simple. This season's team are athletes, and for football players like Drew Weatherford, recovering from knee surgery, and Logan Payne, the adjustment from football playoffs was tough. "The difference between this team and their team is they were together for three years, since they were sophomores," said Drew Weatherford, a freshman on the varsity bench in 2000-01. "Everyone on that team had a role to play and they played it really well." But this team is learning to play within itself. Look at the balanced scoring: Brown leads the team with 9.9 points a game, Payne has 9.5, Weatherford 8.3 and Ruvolo 6.9. "Talent-wise, we have so many kids who can score 15 points a game, and that's the difference," Weatherford said. "But we almost clash with each other." There is time still to jell. There are only three seniors -- Brown, Payne and Gio Benedetto. With six juniors and a talented sophomore class on its way, Land O'Lakes is restocking for the future. After last year's disappointing 8-17 season, that would be a welcome change. Said Puhalski: "We're back to being competitive. Now I think we can play with anybody."
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