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Pasco's season had been one of extremes, with great success in the county against conference opponents but frustrating struggles against its Class 3A, District 6 rivals.
The Pirates (10-10) took a step toward correcting the latter with a 73-70 overtime win against Wildwood on Tuesday night. If Pasco, still just 2-5 in district play, can follow that win with another tonight at home against Nature Coast Tech, the Pirates could emerge from the cellar to be seeded as high as third out of five teams.
Despite the disappointing record, Pasco has held its own with the district's best teams, losing two close games to Hernando and pulling out the overtime win against Wildwood. Tonight's game against Nature Coast, a first-year program in Hernando County, could be a preview of an opening-round showdown in the tournament.
Coach Poncho Broner was happy to get forward Johnny Peyton back in the lineup, and the senior stepped up with 21 points against Wildwood. He had missed three games thanks to a badly bruised tailbone and two football recruiting trips last week. The Pirates have played their past two games without star Deran Burns, one because his godmother died and the other with a bruised foot.
Burns and Peyton were expected to play Thursday in a key Sunshine Athletic Conference game against Land O'Lakes. With a win there and one against Zephyrhills on Tuesday, the Pirates can play for a share of the SAC crown when they end their season at Ridgewood on Feb. 13.
BYE AND BYE: Ridgewood, now ranked 10th in Class 4A, has locked up a first-round bye in the Class 4A-10 tournament, set for the Rams' home court in two weeks. The Rams (17-3, 8-1 in district) closed out their district schedule Thursday against Gulf. Coach Gary Anders said earning a night off isn't always a good thing, but he is glad he has the bye.
"I think some coaches have mixed feelings about byes, thinking it's better to play than practice," Anders said. "But this time of year, if you can get an extra day's rest here or there, that's not going to hurt you."
The Rams will go into the tournament battle-ready, with the potential conference showdown Thursday against Pasco, then a trip next weekend to the Lake Region Shootout tournament.
KNIGHTS ROLLING: Last week, River Ridge picked up its first win after opening the season with 17 losses. Five days later, the Knights won again, beating Springstead 54-42, and they could strike again tonight with a home game against Hudson, the only county team with fewer wins.
"I think it indicates what everybody's been saying, that we're improving," first-year coach Gary Allen said. "Our kids know that our offense is generated by our defense, and basically, when we play good defense, we get good shots and points from our transition game."
Shawn Murphy led the Knights with 18 points against Springstead, including three 3-pointers, and Derrik Stoll (11) and Jahmaal Osbourne (10) also scored in double figures.
THIS AND THAT: Ridgewood's Andrew Reed scored his 1,000th career point two weeks ago, becoming the sixth player in Rams history to pass the milestone. Mitchell's Jeremy Hopper should pass the 1,000-point plateau this week, becoming the second Mustangs player to do so. Jason Weaver, who graduated last year, was the first in the program's short history. ... Zephyrhills picked up its third win of the season against Lakeland Sunrise Christian. Coach Tom O'Donnell said his Bulldogs missed out on another potential win against Lakeland Christian. "We're playing teams like Ridgewood and Wesley Chapel better than we play the teams we actually have a chance to beat," he said. "We're not good enough to play at the level of our opponents and expect to win." ... Wesley Chapel has bounced back from a midseason slide to win its past five games heading into a district game Thursday at Tarpon Springs. Friday's win against Gulf assured the Wildcats of a first-round bye in the 4A-10 tournament at Ridgewood. Junior guard Chase Bussey, also regaining his form, has passed Reed for the county scoring lead at 19.0 points per game. His 5.2 assists a game is also the best in the county.