Preps

Wildcats compensate with press

Wesley Chapel isn't gifted with size but has plenty of athletes, which means a hectic night is in store for Jesuit.

By SCOTT PURKS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 6, 2003

TAMPA -- Once you get past the fact they're not too big or tall, it looks pretty darn good for Wesley Chapel.

They press, run, press, shoot, press, pass, and ... well, press some more. And they do it all very well.

Did we mention press?

It is constant fullcourt pressure, and part of the reason it works so well is that Wesley Chapel goes nine deep.

The starting five seniors -- David Simpson (6-foot-3), Tyrone Tomlin (6-0), Greg Harrison (5-8), Zach Mills (5-10) and Eric Sorensen (5-10) -- get a furious start and then it's rotation time as the bench joins in.

"We try to use our athleticism and heart and hustle," Wesley Chapel coach Kent Mills said. "We have to. We don't have three 6-foot-8 guys. We have nice athletes who get after it."

The past two years the Wildcats have gotten after it to the tune of a 51-11 record and a state semifinal appearance last season. This season they are 26-3 with a region title on the line Saturday against Jesuit (25-5).

Mills said last season's run toward the state final gives his team confidence, but he added these Wildcats are battle tested far beyond that.

"This team has played 700 games together in youth ball since they were 10 years old," he said. "They are very comfortable with each other and with just about any situation."

They're also unselfish.

Each of the starting five averages double figures: Sorensen and Simpson 15 points apiece, Mills 13, Tomlin 12 and Harrison 10. The other four contributors each average around seven.

Add it up and you have the Wildcats' 85 points per game average.

More important, the players say they feel closer than ever.

"We've played better as a team this year, we talk more," Simpson said. "We practice harder than we did last year.

"It was satisfying last year, but we didn't have as high a goal as we did this year. We just wanted a district championship last year, that was it. We're expecting to be (at state) this year."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright