Keswick falls just short

Crusaders can't avoid a 45-40 loss to St. Clair Secondary despite a gallant fourth-quarter run.

By JEREMY WRITT Times Correspondent
Published December 29, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - The Keswick Christian girls' comeback attempt fell short Thursday at the Suncoast Classic. The Crusaders fell 45-40 to St. Clair Secondary after a feverish fourth-quarter run. The Colts had not played basketball in over a month, but it was host Keswick Christian that needed time to knock the rust off.

"Shots that we can normally knock down we weren't knocking down at all," Keswick coach Karrmayne King said.

The Crusaders shot just under 18 percent from the floor in the first half and trailed 36-24 going into the final quarter. In fact, the Colts had a double digit lead by the final two minutes of the first quarter and maintained it until Laura Grace Hodupp scored eight straight points including a buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter. Her third 3-pointer reduced the lead to 36-29. The senior guard ended with 20 points, which was equal to the rest of the team combined.

Bradenton Christian won the right to play St. Clair's in the quarterfinals by beating Countryside 55-47. Tawny Najjar scored 26 points to lead the Panthers. Northside Christian fell to St. Mary's 48-38 and will play Palm Harbor U., in the consolation bracket. Mt. Dora outlasted the Hurricanes 56-52. Sameerah Jones scored 21 in defeat.

Boys

Shorecrest Prep charged out to an early lead before Upper Room Christian Academy's pressure forced them into a 49-43 defeat.

Alex Griffith and Brian Main (16 points) hit back-to-back three-pointers during an 11-2 run to end the first quarter. Josh Walker scored the first of his two field goals to give Shorecrest a 16-6 lead at the beginning of the second. By halftime, Upper Room Christian led 22-20.

"Our biggest concern was playing defense. Defense wins all games," Upper Room Christian assistant Jarvis Butler said.

Their pressure forced Shorecrest into ten second-half turnovers that allowed the Soaring Eagles to get easy baskets. Tavarous Dunlap provided most of their half-court offense, with jump shots and runners in the lane. He led all with 19 points.

The Soaring Eagles will meet Keswick Christian, tournament host, tonight in the quarterfinals. The Crusaders beat St. Clair (Sarnia, Ont.) 50-43 despite Travis Tiggelaar's game-high 18 points. Tarvin Jones led Keswick with 12.

Tampa Prep dismantled Pitt Meadows 75-54 and will face Assumption Catholic in the other quarterfinal. Senior forwards Walter Perkins (19 points) and Caleb Sieben combined for 34 points to pace the Terrapins. Junior swingman David Waller (12 points) also reached double figures.

[Last modified December 29, 2006, 00:22:06]