'Unbeatable' tops Pasco

The Pirates defense is no match for top-ranked Florida Air Academy.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published March 2, 2005

MELBOURNE - It was widely assumed Florida Air Academy would administer a thrashing to Pasco in the region semifinals.

After all, the Falcons entered Tuesday's game ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and are seeking to go undefeated for the third time in the past five seasons.

The Pirates, meanwhile, won a district title and playoff game for the first time in five seasons.

The contrasts in postseason experience showed as Florida Air won 80-53. But Pasco coach Willie "Poncho" Broner III said the score did not tell the whole story.

"Everyone I talked to before this game said Florida Air was unbeatable," Broner said. "They have a solid team, and we did lose by 27. I know people are going to think I'm crazy, but I thought we stayed with them."

Broner's biggest worry was the Falcons' unrelenting pressure defense, which forces 20 turnovers a game. But the Pirates were careful with the ball as John Daniel and Darrell Davis each flourished on offense.

The problem was Pasco's defense. Florida Air's Walter Hodge scored a game-high 24, including 14 in the first half. That helped the Falcons (29-0) take a 22-12 lead in the first quarter and cruise to a 38-25 lead at the half.

"I didn't think we executed well on the defensive end," Broner said "We got behind early and that's because we didn't rebound or account for Hodge enough. He's a great player and was able to get a lot of easy buckets."

The Pirates clamped down on Hodge in the second half but never got any significant run going to cut the deficit. By the fourth quarter, Pasco (24-4) was battling foul trouble and fatigue. Florida Air took advantage, outscoring the Pirates 22-11 down the stretch.

Davis and Daniel each scored 17 and were the only Pasco players to reach double figures.

"We spent so much energy trying to come back that I think we just ran out of gas," Broner said. "Plus, it was a home game and they got every bounce. I guess that's what happens when you're the No. 1 team in the state. I'm pleased that we were able to make it competitive, but that's not the goal. We came here to win."

[Last modified March 2, 2005, 00:47:18]