Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Land O'Lakes' abbreviated schedule starting to pay off

By IZZY GOULD
Published December 16, 2005

LAND O'LAKES - Dave Puhalski has learned a few tricks in his 17 seasons at Land O'Lakes.

Scheduling is a good example. The Gators have played just six games this season.

Puhalski limited the early schedule on purpose, and it could pay dividends.

The Gators could be full strength next week with the return of Joe Weatherford and Develin Robinson.

Puhalski hoped to get Weatherford some minutes Thursday against Zephyrhills. He welcomed back Robinson on Wednesday in a 63-62 win against Wesley Chapel.

"We're always a little behind with the slow start from football," Puhalski said. "I'd rather be playing good basketball in February than in December, so I guess I am happy."

Football often overlaps the start of basketball season, even more so with the Gators reaching the playoffs in their past nine seasons.

Meanwhile, Puhalski starts the season with a chunk of his roster still on the football field. Some players take time to rest. Others decide not to play basketball.

Weatherford suffered a broken left clavicle in the final game of the football season.

Puhalski expected him to return midseason.

Weatherford has practiced dribbling, shooting and participated in full-court, five-on-five scrimmages.

"We'll take a look at him tonight, if not, for sure next week," Puhalski said Thursday afternoon. "He's had some limited contact, so we'll see if we can get him a couple of minutes tonight in the game. If not tonight, then for sure next week."

Robinson returned after a four-game absence to score six points against the Wildcats.

Puhalski said his role is to be the sixth man. Robinson provides plenty of energy and skill off the bench.

Puhalski would not elaborate on Robinson's situation other than to say, "We just worked some things out."

If there's one criticism, it's lack of basketball conditioning.

"He doesn't have the legs he would have by midseason," Puhalski said. "But neither does John ( Weatherford) or Caz ( Piurowski) or Joe (Weatherford)."

TRADING HIGH-TOPS FOR CLEATS: Gulf's sagging roster numbers prompted Steve Feldman to do something he hasn't done in his 11 seasons as coach: hold a midseason tryout.

The Buccaneers made due Tuesday night with seven players in a 69-64 loss at Pasco.

The number dropped to six after Nick Stajic fouled out with 6:08 remaining in the game.

Feldman took a look Wednesday at 6-foot-3 senior Brandon Decker, who has never played organized basketball. Decker joins the Bucs next week.

"I've never done this in my life," Feldman said. "This is a one-person, one-time tryout. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures."

Decker made his mark last season with the baseball team as an All-Suncoast honorable mention for his play at third base and pitcher.

Feldman said Decker's offseason baseball conditioning shouldn't suffer because he has a batting cage at his house.

"He's not losing that to play basketball," Feldman said. "I appreciate Shaun Wiemer being cooperative about this and giving me some assistance in this. The legs and the lungs will be better than they ever have been."

Besides an extra body, Feldman hopes Decker can provide some rebounding with his size.

At 6-3 he is the tallest player on the Bucs roster and their only post presence.

"We definitely need some more rebounding ability," Feldman said. "I think he can bring that to the table. He's going to have to be on a steep learning curve because he doesn't know anything we're doing."

JENKINS OUT: Pasco guard Krystal Jenkins is done for the year.

Pasco coach Tony Vasquez said the junior point guard suffered a season-ending knee injury Dec. 9 during a 53-50 loss at Hudson.

Jenkins scored eight points and was pivotal in the Pirates' attempt for a come-from-behind win. She was trying to deny an in-bounds attempt when she came down wrong on someone's foot.

The extent of her injury is unknown.

"We're not sure what it is," Vasquez said. "We're just going to call it a knee injury. It hurts when you take away or second leading scorer, best ball-handler and point guard."

Jenkins went to an emergency room after suffering the injury, then saw an orthopedic surgeon Tuesday. She was among the county's scoring leaders with 10.8 a game.

Pasco has lost three district games by three points or less.

"She's definitely out until the end of the year," Vasquez said. "It really dealt a blow to us."

GULF GIRLS CLIMB IN 4A POLL: Gulf climbed to 10-0 before Thursday's game at Wesley Chapel and was rewarded with a No. 6 ranking in this week's Class 4A state poll.

The Bucs debuted last week at No. 8. They received 44 points Wednesday, placing them 10 points behind undefeated Fort Myers Cypress Lake.

[Last modified December 16, 2005, 00:54:19]