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Yesterday's gone

But who can forget 25-2? Gulf tries to put history away and focus on demands of the present.

By IZZY GOULD
Published November 20, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Gulf's wonderful ride finally conked out in Winter Haven.

After years of being laughed at, derided as the county's pushover, Coach Mike Quarto's team orchestrated quite a run last season.

Suddenly, it was cool to be a Gulf Buccaneer.

The Bucs - yes, the Bucs - ripped through the Sunshine Athletic Conference, winning all 12 games, then slashed through Class 4A, District 10, taking every district game en route to their first conference and district titles.

In their first playoff berth since 1998, the Bucs reached the second round.

No tools or words could hype Gulf for the frenzy of the 4A region semifinals.

Gulf had met its match in 68-29 loss to Winter Haven, pulling the curtain on the Bucs' 2004-05 season.

What a year.

"I felt us and Winter Haven were the two best teams in the region," Quarto said. "That was the most disappointing thing."

Quarto tried stuffing those words back into his mouth.

"I was disappointed last year had to end," he said.

Gulf enjoyed an intoxicating run through the regular season to go 25-2, and slipped just once in the regular season with an overtime loss to Plant in December. The Bucs fell 54-53 in the Craig Keeler Tournament, but managed to fight back from a 12-point deficit to force the extra period.

In past seasons, Gulf didn't have the hardware to dig itself out of 12-point holes.

"I knew for a fact every other school would go up and down their schedule and declare how many wins they would have. Gulf was one," senior center Tiara Cook said. "We were playing as hard as we could, we just couldn't beat anyone."

What's changed?

"Our coach," Cook said. "He actually cares."

Quarto is Gulf's third-year coach. He began his career nine years ago as a freshman/JV/varsity assistant at River Ridge. His method consists of tough love, the usual yelling and screaming to get a point across.

Players love it.

"If you mess up on a play, he cares," Cook said. "If you don't box out on a play, he cares. We know he does it for a reason. Last year, where did it get us? We were disciplined enough to know the basics."

And one of the basics is moving on after past triumphs.

The Gulf locker room insists last season's experience is filed away for a day they can tell grandchildren stories of how they ran the break and blew teams out of the gym.

No one wants to talk about it while they're still making memories.

"No one cares," Cook said. "It's about this year. If we don't compete hard and finish strong it doesn't matter. We want to make a name for ourselves."

The name "Gulf" is being uttered by coaches around the state.

And Pasco County teams see the Bucs as county enemy No. 1.

Who could argue?

Cook, a 6-foot center who was the Times 2004-05 Player of the Year, leads the starting five. She averaged a team-high 19.1 points and county-leading 10.7 rebounds and three blocks.

The starting five is rounded out by Nicole Allison, Turquoise Sampson, Zephyrhills transfer Santana Lennon and Dominique English.

The Bucs have just nine players on the roster, but will use them all.

Quarto insists every girl is a threat to score. No opponent can home in on one player.

"You only need five on the court they tell me," Quarto said with a laugh. "There's a difference between having a bench with 15 players on it and playing only seven kids. There's something to be said for having only nine players."

Gulf spent the offseason working on continuity, kind of a joke when you realize most of these girls have been playing together for years in other leagues.

"Their continuity and chemistry is outstanding," Quarto said. "They know each other very well. They know what each other's strengths and weaknesses are."

Before Friday night's game at Zephyrhills, the Bucs already were 2-0 with wins against Pasco and Ridgewood.

The goals this season are to surpass last year's marks. To go undefeated. To win the conference, win the district and make it to Lakeland for a shot at a state title.

The only question remaining: Is this the best team Quarto has coached?

"That remains to be seen," he said.

Izzy Gould can be reached at 813 909-4612 or igould@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 20, 2005, 00:54:20]