Preps

Berkeley Prep falters in final minutes

CLASS 2A: The Buccaneers lead most of the way, but can't close out Father Lopez.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 5, 2003

TAMPA -- Having spent the entire game with an arms-length lead, Berkeley Prep was just a few minutes from wrapping up the semifinal and sending Daytona Beach Father Lopez home.

But a lot can happen in a few minutes, as the stunned Buccaneers found out. As three minutes ticked off the clock, Berkeley Prep forward Brandon Suarez fouled out, Berkeley Prep's offense and defense came apart and the Green Wave slipped through the open door.

Father Lopez defeated Berkeley Prep 55-52 in a quick twist of events that surprised both sides.

"I really thought Berkeley Prep had some kids stepping up tonight that usually don't step up," Father Lopez coach Eddie Miller said. "They were on the verge of breaking this game open. We were just fighting to hang in there."

Berkeley Prep's last field goal was tallied with four minutes left in the game, and after Suarez fouled out, the Green Wave (21-11) went into last-chance overdrive. The Bucs (20-9) went to the line enough times to preserve the lead, but Father Lopez chipped away with free throws of their own, and then some.

With 43 seconds to go, Father Lopez 6-foot-8 center Eric Kenzik shook off defenders under the basket and took a one-handed shot to tie the game 52-52. Berkeley Prep blew a couple of prime scoring chances on frantic fast breaks, and a Ryan Ridder layup gave the Green Wave the lead.

A Buccaneers foul took the ball out of their hands with a precious 12 seconds left, and another allowed the Green Wave an extra point at the line with three seconds.

Berkeley Prep called a time out and formulated a do-or-die play for when they gained possession after Kenzik's free throw. Buccaneers leading scorer Spiros Ferderigos, who had a magic touch for 3-pointers all season, attempted a desperation shot before the buzzer. The attempt failed.

"Give Father Lopez credit," Berkeley Prep coach Bobby Reinhart said. "They made more plays down the stretch than we did."

Reinhart said the Bucs were particularly caught off-guard by Kenzik, who led all scorers with 29 points from all angles and lengths of the court.

"I knew he was good, but I didn't know he was that good," he said. "I figured he'd have a strong game inside, but his perimeter game was just as strong."

Berkeley's Ferderigos, who leads the county in scoring, was frustrated by the Green Wave's defense, which went to a half-court trap in the third quarter to slow the Bucs' scoring chances. Ferderigos finished with 21 points, and Derek Hatcher scored 12.

The Buccaneers are expected to return all of their starters next season. Reinhart said he also hopes to work on the Bucs' bench, which was clearly a key difference between Berkeley Prep and Father Lopez.

"I love our team and I love our kids," Reinhart said, "but there's a bit of a dropoff after our starters and we need to work on that."

Father Lopez will travel to play undefeated Melbourne Florida Air in the region final.

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