ST. PETERSBURG - Three consecutive wins for Tarpon Springs means a chance at something Jerry Woodka doesn't see in the Sponger trophy case: a holiday tournament championship trophy.
The Spongers won the first boys semifinal of the Keswick Christian Suncoast Classic with their 60-53 win Monday night over Mount Dora Bible. Tarpon Springs (4-6) is on a three-game winning streak.
With just more than a minute left, Ben Gordon converted a 3-point play, giving the Spongers a lead by four. Mount Dora Bible was unsuccessful on several 3-point attempts and the Spongers held on.
"It was a tough game," Woodka said. "It's a win we want to build on."
Brad Robinson led all Spongers with 22 points, 10 in the fourth quarter. Tarpon Springs faces Trinity Prep in the final at 8:30 tonight at Keswick.
Trinity Prep defeated the host Crusaders 80-50 in the other semifinal.
Trinity (8-1) scored 20-plus points in the opening three quarters and allowed just two points in the third.
"We wanted to run, but we spent most of the game trying to break the press," Keswick coach Bob Logemann said. "We were playing defensive all night."
William Werly led Keswick (2-6) with 21 points, including four 3-pointers.
GIRLS: Palm Harbor University faces Bradenton Lakewood Ranch at 7 tonight in the final.
The Hurricanes defeated Owsley County, Ky., 51-40 in the first semifinal. Freshman LaToya Whiting scored a team high 16 including 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. PHU (8-2) lost a 10-point lead in the second half but two steals and two layups from Lauren McNary in the fourth quarter swung the game back to the Hurricanes.
"We're ahead of where we planned to be," PHU coach Dustin Bengston said. "Our goal is the state playoffs, but you always have Clearwater and Largo too."
Lakewood Ranch played the spoiler, denying Keswick a chance at the championship game in its tournament with a 60-43 win.
Eight-grader Kate Carl led Keswick (4-4) with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Kacie Carl added 15 points in the losing effort.
"We couldn't put the ball in the hole tonight, and they did," Keswick coach Karrmayne King said. "Unfortunately, that's the point of the game."
