Crusaders vs. Tigers always sweet no matter the season

By JIM REESE
Published June 28, 2005

Tampa Catholic coach Don Dziagwa was pleased with a 57-56 double overtime win over Jesuit in the Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association summer league last week.

"Winter or summer, it really doesn't matter," Dziagwa said. "When these two teams meet, it's always something special."

The Tigers were playing Wednesday without leading scorer Thomas Kaiser while Tampa Catholic was without Joey Lauteria . Lauteria recently had shoulder surgery, sustaining the injury while playing football last year. The returning junior is expected to be ready for gridiron action this season.

The Crusaders, 1-3 out of the gate in the summer league, have rebounded to win five of their past six games to finish the season 6-4.

"We have a very young team," Dziagwa said. "We'll start one senior, three juniors and a sophomore. So we've a learning curve to go through, but I like our progress so far."

MORE BASKETBALL: The summer league tournament begins quarterfinal action tonight at Tampa Prep. The tournament kicks off at 6 p.m. followed by games at 7 and 8.

The top four seeds in the 16-team league, based on their season-long performance, are Sickles, Wharton, Jesuit and Chamberlain, respectively. On Wednesday at Tampa Prep, the semifinal game is at 7 with the final set to start at 8:15.

JESUIT BASEBALL: Coach John Crumbley 's Tigers took home the championship trophy in the American Legion Tournament at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

The Tigers downed Belleview, Ill., 8-6 in the finals of pool play. Jeff Younger was the winning pitcher, with strong seventh-inning relief from Kyle Wiser . It was the second victory of the tournament for Younger, who pitched the opening 9-1 win.

"It was a great experience for our guys out here," Crumbley said. "They got to play five games, they won the championship, and we were able to see four games being played in the College World Series."

DOUBLE DUTY: New Wharton football coach David Mitchell will have his hands full, heading up the Wildcats' football and wrestling programs.

"The wrestling season begins a week before our last regular-season football game," Mitchell said. "So, obviously if we make it to the playoffs in football, I'll have a scheduling problem."

But Mitchell sees many positives in the dual roles.

"I have two very able assistants in wrestling who can carry out our practice regimens until football is over, and one of my goals is to get more athletes to compete in more than one sport. Kids do better in their schoolwork when they are busy with sports because they must learn to manage their time more efficiently.

"We already have two players from our basketball team coming out for football this fall, so the plan seems to be working."

[Last modified June 28, 2005, 06:55:27]