CLEARWATER - Darius Hart's apprenticeship was going along just fine and dandy. He could shine at his own convenience, develop at his own pace, and on occasion gently dip his toe into the fire of senior leadership.
Only a junior, Hart was brought along without burden. His future has always been bright, but three weeks ago when he looked ahead, he saw today.
A serious knee injury to senior point guard Luke Postorino thrust Hart into a role he thought was months away.
"I knew next year I'd be playing point guard," said Hart. "When Luke got hurt, it just came along sooner."
It is Hart's play that may hold the key to Clearwater's fortunes, especially tonight when the Tornadoes host Gibbs, which prides itself on the fullcourt press.
The Gladiators (17-9) have a big man in the middle, Marreese Speights, to neutralize Clearwater's 6-foot-10 Cruz Daniels, and four quick guards to harass a team short one ballhandler. They showed in the district semifinals the power of pressure, producing key turnovers against two of the county's better point guards in Seminole's David Crouch and St. Petersburg's Marquis Ford.
Hart seems unconcerned.
"We don't know too much about them," he said, "but whatever they bring, they bring."
Though Postorino may play, his injured knee won't be much good against Gibbs' pressure. Hart knows he will face as tough a defense as he has seen, and it will be his job to beat the press and make sure he gets the ball to leading scorers Jon Thomas and Daniels.
"When Luke got hurt, there was a little more pressure, being the only point guard," Hart said. "People wondered how I'd do. But everyone was real encouraging."
In Hart, Clearwater (25-2) has a point guard who could have started for many teams last season, when he was relegated to junior varsity because the Tornadoes roster was filled with seniors.
Since assuming the role of quarterback, Hart has impressed with his all-around game, and he is coming off 21 points in the district championship game.
"Darius stepping in at point guard, that's not an easy transition either," said coach Jack Coit. "It's not like switching from forward. It's like going from fullback to quarterback.
"He's handled it a little bit better than I thought he would from the beginning of the season ... his overall game is very good. It isn't just one phase. He plays very hard and does a lot things very well."
He has already taken the Tornadoes where last year's group of vaunted seniors could not.
