Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Times 2004-05 all-county boys basketball

By BOB PUTNAM
Published April 3, 2005

FIRST TEAM

CHASE BUSSEY

SR., 5-11, G, WESLEY CHAPEL: The county's deadliest three-point shooter with unconscionable range, Bussey used that outside prowess to keep his team make the playoffs after a 6-8 start. He led the county in scoring at 26.2 points per game and set school records for most points in a career (1,127) and game (48 against River Ridge). He also was one of the county's savviest decion-makers with 4.7 assists per game.

DERAN BURNS

SR., 6-3, F, PASCO: Rising above the basket with a rim-rattling jam was Burns' specialty. He averaged two dunks per game and had a career-high six against Wildwood. But he wasn't just a high-jumping, basket-stuffer. Burns averaged 20 points and 4.8 assists per game to lead the Pirates to a 22-4 record and a district title. He also was the lone county player nominated to the 2005 McDonald's All-America team and became the first Pasco player since Darrell Nash (1987-89) to score 1,000 points in his career.

DARRELL DAVIS

JR., 6-3, F, PASCO: As the Pirates sailed along this season, Davis became a second whirling dervish for opposing teams to consider as he paired with Burns to give Pasco a pair of preeminent forwards. Davis averaged 22 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. His emergance was a big reason the Pirates won their first district title in five seasons.

MITCH FOSTER

JR., 6-3, F, MITCHELL: With his ability to score from inside or out, Foster was one tough matchup. He had a breakout season, combining his multiple skills as an inside scorer and passer with an efficient 3-point shot. He averaged 16.7 points, an eight-point improvement from last season, and became the leader of a playoff team that lost point guard D.J. Crosby to a torn ACL before the season.

CAZ PIUROWSKI

JR., 6-8, C, LAND O'LAKES: The county's most irresistable force, as well as its most immoveable object, Piurowski tore through overmatched defenders to score 14.3 points and grab 9.8 rebounds per game. He also provided the Gators with inside toughness and made sure the Gators would not have a void in the paint with the graduation of Drew Weatherford.

SECOND TEAM

Alex Pasquine, Sr., F, River Ridge: The Royal Knights were able to double their win total from last season thanks to the play of Pasquine, who averaged 14.5 points.

Brian Hoben, Sr, C, Ridgewood: Inheriting the role as the Rams' main threat down low, Hoben finished the regular-season averaging a team-best 14.8 points per game.

Travis Thomas, Sr, C, Gulf: The headliner on the county's tallest frontcourt, the 6-foot-7 senior transfer from Hudson scored 11.6 points per game.

Anthony Jackson, So, G, Gulf: With his lightning-quick hands and killer first step, Jackson was a nightmare to defend against and averaged 13.1 points per game.

Brett Ross, Jr., F, Zephyrhills: One of the few bright spots for a young team, Ross helped ease the transition for new coach Gene Pieper by averaging 12.6 points per game.

HONORABLE MENTION: Gulf - Corey Crossway, Kenny Fletcher, David Frazier, Justin Sconiers; Hudson - Eric Geckas, Justin Hooten; Land O'Lakes - Jarrett Santana, Danny Vargas; Mitchell - Elliott Bernard, Ron LaFleur; Pasco - John Daniel; Ridgewood - Ceenan Calzadilla, Jon Koenigsfeld, Michael Lawrence, Mirza Muratovic; River Ridge - Adam Clark; Wesley Chapel - Nigel Bryant, Will Prynn, Micah Scanga; Zephyrhills - Sederrick Cunningham.

[Last modified April 3, 2005, 00:10:19]