Wharton, miscues drop Bogie

By JEREMY WRITT
Published January 15, 2006

ST PETERSBURG - Turnovers proved to be the deciding factor Saturday afternoon at the eighth annual Dunedin Shootout as Boca Ciega (12-4) squandered an early 12-point, turning the ball over 11 times in the second half. Wharton (13-5) took advantage, rallying to win 58-57.

Nehemiah Simpkins (20 points) made nine consecutive points in the opening quarter and outscored Wharton through the first 10 minutes of the game.

"The kid's just unbelievable," Bogie coach Randy Shuman said. "He makes tough shots. Our problem is not finding him enough. The kid has really improved and stepped up big so far."

Bogie led 17-5 after the first largely because the Wildcats had more turnovers (eight) than points.

"Early on, it was just turnovers," Wharton coach Tommy Tonelli said. "Turnovers were killing us."

Wharton did not score its first field goal until four minutes in. Then the Wildcats outscored Boca Ciega 53-40 the rest of the way. Point guard Anthony Gomez led the charge, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the second half.

"He's been tremendous for us all year." Tonelli said. "He's good at drawing contact and still being able to get a shot off. He's just a heck of a player."

Shawn Vanzant, Gomez's backcourt mate, added 13 point. Wharton was overdue for a close win after suffering five losses by a total of 13 points.

Vanzant made a free throw to complete a three-point play and Gomez hit two of his own after the officials called a technical on the Bogie bench. With his Wildcats trailing 57-56, Adam Noble (five points) drove the lane and made a layup despite being fouled to put Wharton up by the final margin.

In other action, Clearwater beat St. Petersburg 81-70 in a game that was decided in the third quarter. Clearwater (12-3) scored 29 in eight minutes and coasted the rest of the way over the Green Devils (10-8).

Five Tornadoes scored in double figures, but Mike Postorino's 3-pointer from about 80 feet to end the first half was the play of the game. Postorino finished with 10 points, and Nick Nickerson led all scorers with 19.

[Last modified January 15, 2006, 01:48:18]