Gulf rises into playoff spot

The Buc turnaround leads to a spot in the district final against Wesley Chapel.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published February 11, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - It came during a game so lopsided the referees used a Florida High School Athletic Association mercy rule that allowed for a running clock the final two quarters.

But Gulf's meteoric rise is now complete.

Using their superior depth and talent, the Buccaneers manhandled host Zephyrhills 59-26 to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

"We haven't played since last Tuesday, so we were a little rusty," Gulf coach Mike Quarto said "But it's nice to get this out the way and move on to the final."

In his second year with the program, Quarto has guided the Buccaneers to one of the greatest turnarounds in county history. After going 2-19 in 2002-03, Gulf finished last season 17-8, its best record in six seasons.

This season, the goal was to make the playoffs and the Buccaneers (23-1) showed they have the talent to do it.

Turqoise Sampson scored a team-high 22 points and Tiara Cook added 13 for Gulf. Cook, a junior center, sat out most of the second half to nurse her sprained right ankle.

"We did that as a precautionary measure more than anything else," Quarto said. "Tiara was 85 percent (Thursday night) and will be 100 percent for the final."

Gulf plays Wesley Chapel in Saturday's final at 7 p.m.

The Wildcats (15-8) advanced by beating Ridgewood 58-44, ending the Rams' six-year reign as district champions. Ridgewood finished 14-11.

Sthefany Thomas scored a team-high 23 points to help the Wildcats make the playoffs for the second season in a row.

The Buccaneers won both meetings against Wesley Chapel this season, but they were close. In fact, the Wildcats came within seven points of beating Gulf in the first meeting, the closest margin of victory the Buccaneers had against a county foe this season.

"We feel pretty confident against Gulf," Wesley Chapel coach Warren Jones said.

[Last modified February 11, 2005, 00:53:10]