Wildcat lifts county with seconds to spare

A last-second shot saved a blown lead for the Hillsborough County all-stars.

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published April 14, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - A last-second shot saved a blown lead for the Hillsborough County all-stars.

Wharton's Anthony Gomez, who finished with 13 points, hit a winning 3-pointer to give his team the 94-92 win in the fifth annual Pinellas-Hillsborough All-Star Game at Eckerd College.

Though the play originally was drawn up for Wharton's other ace, Shawn Vanzant (eight points), Gomez ended up with the ball after Hillsborough lost a 12-point lead.

"That's probably one of the biggest shots I've ever had," Gomez said. "They double-teamed Shawn, and I was wide open, so I just let it go like I always do."

With the score 46-40, Hillsborough went on a 10-3 run, but late in the 20-minute half Pinellas went on a 10-3 run, led by Lakewood's Anthony Dorsey (game-high 28 points) and East Lake's Josh Garcia (17 points).

Dorsey made nine straight points to take a 92-91 led, as Leto's Joelys Himely (19 points) brought Hillsborough within one.

On the rebound for Hillsborough, the ball kicked out to Gomez and the senior hit the winner with four seconds left.

Robinson coach Steve Smith knew his team was in a hole after Pinellas' late run.

"They definitely had the momentum swinging their way," Smith said. "I thought we were in trouble. These Hillsborough guys, though, are resilient and they're winners. They showed that tonight."

The Hillsborough girls, however, weren't so lucky, dropping their match 70-64. Hillsborough has lost to Pinellas four straight years.

Riverview's Ashley Milian led a late charge for Hillsborough with a team- and game-high 20 points.

"I just wanted to win because Hillsborough hasn't won in the past couple of years," Milian said. "We wanted to make a difference in our last year for us as seniors, but I guess we just couldn't do it."

Hillsborough High coach Chris Brazzle knew what was on the line Friday night.

"It's about bragging rights. County vs. county," Brazzle said. "They wanted (the win) bad and we tried to fight back.

"On my way to the game, I stopped to get my hair cut. The man who cut my hair was like, 'Oh no. Pinellas County is far better than Hillsborough County.' ...So really, when I got here, I wanted to prove a point."

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 23:29:09]