Free throws cost Leto in one-point loss

The Falcons make only 8 of 28 in falling 71-70 to Wesley Chapel in the first-round game.

By BRYAN BURNS
Published December 19, 2006

TAMPA - As the tournament's defending champion, Wesley Chapel had incentive to win its first-round matchup at the Leto Holiday Classic. As the host, Leto had incentive as well.

The result was Monday's best game, a 71-70 thriller that left Wesley Chapel delighted to escape with a victory and Leto pondering the victory it left at the free-throw line.

"It was a terrible game for free throws," said Leto senior center Joelys Himely, who, at times, was unstoppable inside and finished with 26 points and 17 rebounds but made just 3 of 12 free throws.

"We lost the game on the free-throw line."

Leto (5-3), which trailed 28-26 at the half and held its final lead at 52-51 with a little less than six minutes to play, held its own against a veteran Wesley Chapel squad throughout despite making only 8 of 28 free throws (28.6 percent).

"Particularly in the second half, it was back and forth, and both teams played their hearts out," Leto coach Todd Price said. "They made a few more plays then we did down the stretch."

Leto had a chance to win it at the end. Trailing 67-62 with 50 seconds left, Himely made the first of two from the line and scored two more when teammate Shawn Camacho rebounded his missed second free throw and fed him for an easy layup.

Leto then stole the inbounds pass, which Himely converted into another layup, tying the score at 67 with 31 seconds remaining.

Larry Jackson followed a Greg Jenkins miss to put the Wildcats (6-4) back on top, and Jenkins, who finished with a team-high 23, added two free throws after a Leto turnover and foul to push the lead to four.

Himely made a 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds on Leto's next possession to cut the lead to one. And Wesley Chapel threw the inbounds pass away without anyone touching the ball, giving the Falcons time to set up one final play.

Leto got the ball in the hands of Patrick Boyle, who had an open look from about 12 feet. Boyle's shot, however, was too strong as time expired.

"Their two-three zone slowed us down offensively," said Jenkins, who made all eight of his free throws in the fourth quarter. "We were making dumb mistakes (at the end), but we came out with the win."

Wesley Chapel will face Palm Beach Central, a 70-34 winner over Alonso, in the semifinals Wednesday. Palm Beach Central (4-4) had seven players score at least seven, led by Dante McCullough's 14.

Wednesday's other semifinal will feature Concordia Prep (8-1) against Bloomingdale (6-4). Bloomingdale, behind 16 points from Callum Townsend and Brian Wright, outscored IMG Academy 20-11 in the fourth quarter to advance 58-47.

Concordia Prep had five players score in double figures, including center Freddy Asperilla's team-high 27, to rout King 74-49.

On the girls side, Durant defeated Jefferson 41-33 and IMG Academy overpowered Wharton 63-43 to reach the semifinals.

[Last modified December 19, 2006, 06:00:34]