Pinellas boys basketball regional quarterfinal games
All games at 7 tonight
By Times Staff Writer
Published February 26, 2004
CLASS 5A
Gibbs (17-9) at Clearwater (25-2)
THE SKINNY: This game will feature two potential 2005 Division I-A recruits squaring off in the paint - Clearwater's 6-foot-10 center Cruz Daniels vs. Gibbs 6-8 Marreese Speights, a pair of juniors. Both have been hot in the playoffs. Daniels showed off an impressive jumpshot in the semis and final of his district, and Speights was effective though Gibbs doesn't use him as much as a weapon. ... Gibbs is making its first appearance in the playoffs since 1994, when it advanced to the regional championship. ... Clearwater forward Benny Clyde played in last year's Class A final four with Admiral Farragut. ... This will be coach Jack Coit's first appearance in the playoffs since 1986, with St. Petersburg. He also took Clearwater Central Catholic to the playoffs in '78 and '79.
Largo (19-8) at St. Petersburg (20-7)
THE SKINNY: The Green Devils' frontline of Brian Blakely, Thaddeus Vaughn and (off the bench) Jamon Sanders should dominate the boards against a smaller opponent. The Packers, however, shoot the ball better as Fred Marshall and Trevor Bing are solid from beyond the arc. ... Guard Ricky Pena is the Green Devils' best shooter. ... The Green Devils halted a late-season slide by beating Boca Ciega and Gibbs to win their first district title since 1988. ... This is St. Petersburg's 34th playoff appearance, most in Pinellas County. However, 25 of those were pre-1950, and St. Petersburg hasn't won a playoff game since 1983. ... This is Largo's sixth appearance in the last seven years, and the Packers have won their playoff opener five consecutive years.
CLASS 4A
Sebring (13-13) at Lakewood (26-1)
THE SKINNY: The Spartans, the last Pinellas team to win a state title, are led by Mario Telfair, Coryon Ross and Sean Morrison. They are currently ranked No. 3 in the Class 4A poll, and are making their eighth consecutive playoff appearance and 10th in 11. ... The Spartans are 12-3 in the region playoffs since 2000, with the three losses coming by a combined nine. ... Sebring comes from a very weak district, where it was seeded No. 3 behind Lemon Bay (7-18). ... Sebring held Lemon Bay to a season-low 31 points in winning its semifinal, but was trounced 69-35 by Lehigh in the final. ... Sebring scored 25 in losing the region opener last year.
CLASS 3A
DeSoto Arcadia (11-16) at St. Petersburg Catholic
THE SKINNY: The Barons proved at the district tournament they could win even when Travis Karto and Aaron Holmes are shut down, as they beat Jesuit in the semifinals despite its best players combining for 10 points. They combined for 37 in the final. ... Holmes, averaging 20 points, is the county's leading scorer among playoff teams. ... The Barons are making their sixth consecutive playoff appearance, the second-longest streak in the county. ... SPC is the highest ranked team in its region at No. 5, along with No. 9 Avon Park and No. 10 Dunbar. ... DeSoto made just 4 of 17 free throws in its district semifinal, but still upset No. 2-seeded Lake Placid. It rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit against Avon Park in the final before losing 54-50. ... The Bulldogs are led by seniors Quincy Chambers and Christian Clemons.
CLASS 2A
Fort Myers Canterbury (18-6) at Admiral Farragut (21-6)
THE SKINNY: The Blue Jackets are trying to return to the state semifinals; last year, they were the only county team to make it. ... Tommy Lampley and Vitor Boccardo are in playoff form. Both averaged 16 points and seven rebounds in the last four. Boccardo, after his worst statistical season, is back on top at the right time. ... The Blue Jackets (No. 3) and Berkeley Prep (No. 5) are the only ranked teams in the region, and would meet in the semifinals if they both win tonight. ... Both AFA and Canterbury went to overtime in the district finals. Canterbury also needed OT to win the district semifinal as senior center Tyler Fritz led the way.
Northside Christian (17-10) at Naples Community School (19-4)
THE SKINNY: Northside Christian is one of the youngest teams in the state playoffs, and coach Chip McAlister has them peaking at the right time. The sharp-shooting Mustangs had Admiral Farragut in a big hole before losing in the district final in overtime. ... Christian Boyle, Bill Hobach and Todd Wilkerson are all dangerous 3-point shooters, and Scott McClain (20 in district final) gives the Mustangs an inside presence. ... Community School's district title was its first. ... The Seahawks are led by juniors Casey Berry and Jessie Greenberg, who coach Bill Carufe calls his John Stockton and Karl Malone. Berry had eight 3-pointers in the district tournament.
