The shots stop falling for the Patriots in the fourth quarter as Wharton pulls away.
By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published January 30, 2005
TAMPA - Freedom stayed close for three quarters against rival Wharton, but thanks to a lopsided fourth quarter, the Wildcats won 64-54 on Saturday.
The Patriots (8-9), ahead 44-40 after three quarters, had their sights set on upsetting host Wharton until managing just three field goals in the fourth. The shots in the paint the Patriots had made most of the game didn't fall down the stretch.
Missed layups and numerous turnovers did the Patriots in, while the Wildcats (18-2) strung together consecutive baskets and outscored Freedom 24-10 in the final quarter.
"In the fourth quarter they made the bigger shots," Freedom coach Randy Grenen said. "We were still getting (high-percentage shots). We just weren't making them."
Wharton, whose points in the fourth were the most in a quarter by either team, pulled away in the end thanks to solid defense, free throws and three 3-pointers.
Freedom kept it close most of the game by playing aggressive defense, fouling the Wildcats 25 times.
"They were playing tougher than we were," Wharton coach Tommy Tonelli said. "I challenged our guys to match their toughness. They just really stepped up. In a game like this you learn some things. We were down and we came back. Maybe it'll help us down the road."
Wharton led 15-11 after the first quarter but Freedom took a brief 25-23 lead in the second. The teams entered halftime tied at 25.
Freedom outplayed Wharton in the third quarter, building a four-point lead.
Four Wharton players finished in double figures. Guard Nate Erickson led the team with 16 points while Darryl Richardson (15), Josh Simpson (15) and Shawn Vanzant (14) all had big roles in Wharton's offense.
Freedom's Derrek Duggins, fourth in the county in scoring, scored a game-high 17. Aaron Rougier scored 14 points and Malek Eugene added 10 points for the Patriots.
