Tornadoes ride usual fast and furious start

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published January 5, 2006

CLEARWATER - Jordan Scholl's behind-the-back pass to Patrick Baker, who got the layup uncontested with two minutes left in the first quarter is quite telling of Clearwater.

The stubborn defense and steal from Scholl at halfcourt, the quick transition, the unselfishness and of course the finish from Baker. It also marked the Tornadoes' sixth game scoring 20 or more in the first quarter, this time en route to a 62-42 win over Pinellas Park.

"I wish we could just skip that second quarter though," Clearwater coach Jack Coit said. "We get a little wrapped up in what we're doing sometimes."

Sometimes meant a loss to Miami Northwestern last week when Clearwater opened with 21 - a game earlier they scored 35 in a win against Durant. After Baker scored eight in the first eight minutes Wednesday night, Clearwater led 21-12.

The Patriots ran with Clearwater, but tried to feed Rade Jankovic in the post as the game progressed. They were held scoreless until the waning seconds of the second quarter, trailing 32-16 at halftime.

"We're banged up," Patriots coach Allen Carden said. "Our kids were right there with them effort-wise, but we couldn't make our shots and they're just an incredible team. It's tough to play against 11 guards like them."

Jankovic led the Patriots (6-7) with eight of his team-high 11 points in the third quarter, and Percell Haynes added 10.

But the Tornadoes sustained their efforts with full-speed man-to-man defense, something Coit said they won't find themselves doing all the time.

"I've had the kids play eight different defenses this year," he said. "Unlike last year, we don't have that shot blocker, so we need to really figure out what's best for each team we face."

Luke Loucks grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 14 for Clearwater (11-2), which again was led offensively by Nick Nickerson (six steals, five assists) with 16 points.

[Last modified January 5, 2006, 01:19:08]