Green's versatility sparks Green Devils

A 16-0 run lifted the Green Devils to a 64-53 victory over Brandon in the Hooters Holiday Shootout quarterfinals.

By JOE SMITH
Published December 29, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG -- Forward Geno Green did it all in St. Petersburg's second-quarter flurry Thursday night.

A steal and a slam. A free throw. An alley-oop layup off an inbounds pass.

But a 3-pointer?

"First of the season," Green said with a grin.

It was all part of a 16-0 run that lifted the Green Devils to a 64-53 victory over undermanned Brandon in the Hooters Holiday Shootout quarterfinals.

Sophomore Shamon Cox scored a game-high 22. Green had 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.

The Eagles (8-3) were without one starter and six reserves as a result of a bleacher-clearing melee in their game Dec. 15 against Plant City. Senior Jeremy Jackson scored a team-high 16.

The Green Devils (10-3) play in the semifinals at 6 tonight at Eckerd College against Clearwater. The Tornadoes beat St. Petersburg 75-62 in the teams' season opener. In the other semifinal, Boca Ciega plays Pinellas Park at 7:30.

To get there, the Pirates had to hold off a furious Gibbs rally. Boca Ciega (9-3) led by 11 at the half, but Gibbs guard Al Bostic hit a 3-pointer to tie it with less than 30 seconds left. Boca Ciega sophomore forward Julius Forte came up clutch, sinking the second of two free throws with 4 seconds to go for the 52-51 win.

Pinellas Park, led by Jesse Woods' 15 points, beat Jefferson 57-33; in the other quarterfinal, Clearwater beat Countryside, 59-48. Dixie Hollins, which defeated Central 74-36, plays co-host Northeast at 12:30 in the loser's bracket.

[Last modified December 28, 2006, 23:40:00]