Junior steers Warriors to win

The 6-foot-7 Christian bibi Ndongo gets 18 points, 13 rebounds and his coach's praise.

By JOE SMITH
Published January 7, 2007

CLEARWATER - Christian bibi Ndongo trailed in transition, waiting for his chance to pounce.

The Calvary Christian junior forward then soared for a one-handed tip-dunk, bringing many in the crowd to their feet.

Bibi Ndongo gave the Warriors a much-needed lift as they held on for a 61-57 win over IMG Academy Saturday night.

Bibi Ndongo, a 6-foot-7 transfer from now-defunct Florida Prep, led Calvary Christian 14-2 with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

"Christian's such a spark plug for us," Calvary Christian coach Dave Bintz said. "It's just his first year here, but he's really the guy that drives us."

Senior forward Kevin Cantinol (14) scored eight of the Warriors' first 10 points. The 6-foot-9 Mississippi-bound star didn't have much help though, as the hot-shooting Panthers hit five first-half 3-pointers for a 24-16 lead (IMG hit 11 3s in the game).

That's when bibi Ndongo converted a big three-point play, scoring inside to ignite a 9-0 Warriors run late in the second quarter.

He then made a crafty pass to Braden Dollar for a 3 to tie the game at 28 at halftime.

In the second half, Calvary Christian began to click. Cantinol put back an offensive rebound. Bibi Ndongo hit a turnaround jumper.

"We just started playing harder," bibi Ndongo said. "Everyone did."

The Panthers (15-6), led by Brett Tessler's 20, pulled within four with 44.9 seconds left. But bibi Ndongo hit three free throws and grabbed two key rebounds to help seal the deal.

NOTES: The Warriors will host Oldsmar Christian on Friday, when Calvary's Bintz will go for his 500th career win.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (727) 893-8129.

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 00:19:28]