Sports

Terps fall apart after halftime

By SCOTT PURKS
Published February 17, 2006

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TAMPA - Tampa Prep held a 27-16 lead to start the second half, then things started unraveling, slowly, steadily, and ultimately, disastrously.

By the time the fourth quarter started, the Community School of Naples had cut the gap to 35-28 and then, with 21 seconds remaining, the Seahawks took their first lead, 43-42, which ended up being the final score.

The Terrapins second-half problem was handling the Seahawks backcourt pressure, which resulted in several steals and uncontested layups.

It was two Seahawk steals in the final 35 seconds, in fact, that erased the Terrapins' 42-39 lead: the first ball was swiped while Tampa Prep was running its halfcourt offense and the second came at halfcourt as the Terrapins tried to push the ball up the floor.

"We knew we had to put pressure on their guards," Community School coach Bill Carufe said. "We were outsized (in the post) and the only way we were going to win was to get pressure on their guards.

"At halftime I said we're either going to lose by 20 or have a chance to win. We went for it and it worked out."

On the rare occasion Tampa Prep (20-10) did set up an offense, the pressure from Naples' guards made it nearly impossible to get the ball to Tampa Prep's taller post players, who pretty much had their way in the first half.

"You can second guess until the cows come home but if you score 15 points in the second half you're just not going to win," coach Joe Fenlon said. "We had as many turnovers as we did points in the second half and when you get to this point in the playoffs that isn't going to work."

When Tampa Prep built an early 11-point lead in the second quarter, Fenlon said he still never felt comfortable.

"I knew we weren't going to run them out of the gym," he said. "They have a great team and our mistakes started snowballing. ... The good news is that we had a good season. We won our district and we have things to build on."

On Thursday the Terrapins started four sophomores and a junior, forward Walter Perkins, who led all scorers with 14 points.

3A: Crusaders falter

FORT MYERS - Bishop Verot junior guard Brent Wood won't forget the last three points he put up on Thursday night anytime soon.

With a flick of his wrist Wood sunk his 22nd point of the night, but more importantly, it counted as the 100th for his team.

By the time the Vikings' shooting clinic was over, they walked off the floor with school records for points and assists in a game in a 105-77 victory over Tampa Catholic.

It was only appropriate the century mark was reached on a 3-pointer since both teams excelled beyond the arc. Tampa Catholic (16-12) hit 14 3s, while Verot (21-6) converted 16-of-23, including a perfect 6-for-6 night and a career-high 24 points from senior Zack Ward.

Tampa Catholic was led by E.J. Ciaccio, who scored a team-high 24 points, including five 3s.

- FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS

A: Faith Warriors advance

Bayshore Christian jumped to an early lead and never trailed in beating host Kissimmee Southland Christian 46-31.

Juniors E.J. Evans (13 points) and Justin Linabury (seven) led the balanced Bayshore Christian attack, allowing the Faith Warriors to race to a 34-14 lead at the half.

"We had been giving up 45 points a game this season so it is a real tribute to our defense that we were able to do as well as we did in lessening that number," coach Dean Kaegy said. "We played a combination of man-to-man and zone and a lot of the credit has to go to Collier Clemens (10 rebounds), who consistently denied Southland Christian a second shot."

Bayshore Christian evened its record at 12-all and Kaegy thinks his team is peaking at the right time. "We have a very young team and we've played a real tough schedule this year. I think that's enabled us to be a better team. And we'll need to be both tough and smart if we are going to advance even further."

- JIM REESE, Times correspondent

A: Tampa Baptist rolls

TAMPA - Justin Fisher made five 3-pointers and had 23 points at halftime as he led the Rams over Lake Wales Vanguard 75-41.

The Rams began the game with an early 11-2 run and outscored Vanguard 32-16 in the opening quarter. Tampa Baptist was able to capitalize early on turnovers created by their full-court press and pesky defense.

"The press isn't normally one of our strengths," coach Tom Dibble said. "We executed it well and turned that into some easy baskets."

The Rams also were able to get easy transition points from the inside play of Jeremy Jackson. Jackson had a handful of blocks and rebounds for the Rams to go along with his 22 points.

"Jeremy is a very special player," Dibble said. "He's a big presence in the middle and we're just glad he came our way to play."

Tampa Baptist went on an 8-0 run early in the second quarter, led by two of Fisher's five 3s to open up a 25-point lead. At halftime, Fisher and Jackson had combined for 40 points, eight more than Vanguard.

"It's regionals and I knew I had to come to play tonight," Fisher said. "If I didn't step up, one my teammates would have, it just happened to be me who had the big game."

Blake Allen also had a big game for the Rams as he finished with 20 points and four 3s. Doran Curtis scored 12 for the Panthers.

- DAN GENOVESE, Times correspondent

[Last modified February 17, 2006, 02:15:35]

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