Preps

Basketball: Ridgewood bigger, just better

The Rams get 62 points and 26 rebounds from their big men as they overpower the Cobras.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published November 28, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - With just more than two minutes remaining in a game between two of the more dissimilar programs in Pasco County, Ridgewood center Derrick Zio found himself isolated on the low block, a Hudson player trapped on his back.

With a smoothness that would have made George Mikan proud, the 6-foot-6 center gathered in a pass from the wing, drop-stepped his way past the defender, and elevated toward the rim, laying the ball gently in.

"We had two objectives coming in," Hudson coach Jason Vetter said. "We knew we had to front the post ... and we had to get one of the big guys in foul trouble."

The Cobras did neither, and an undersized Hudson team watched Ridgewood's front line propel it to an 86-65 win.

Rams big men Lukas Poderis 6-foot-8, Bryan Jones (6-4) and Zio combined for 62 points and 26 rebounds, taking pressure off banged-up point guard Mike Lawrence, whose heavily taped bruised right (shooting) hand hindered his normally smooth stroke.

Hudson's talented backcourt kept the game close early, as guard Austin Gibbons connected on two straight 3-pointers to give the Cobras a 12-8 lead midway through the first quarter. But Ridgewood outscored Hudson 14-4 to end the period with a 22-16 lead. The Rams scored six of those points off offensive rebounds.

"We challenged our big guys before the ballgame," Ridgewood coach Gary Anders said. "It's nice to know that when you do present a challenge or try to do something strategic, they respond."

After taking a 47-34 lead into halftime, Ridgewood outscored Hudson 27-14 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

"Always, in the third quarter, we are outstanding," said Poderis, who led all scorers with 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Hudson knew full well that most of its offense would have to come from its backcourt, anchored by senior guard Jarrod Branco and sophomore Chris Russo.

The duo combined for 40 points, led by Branco's 26, and provided plenty of hope for the Cobras, whose 2-0 start was the first in more than 14 years.

"I know no one will think this, but we thought we could play with them," said Vetter, whose team faces defending Class 4A, District 8 runnerup Nature Coast on Friday. "My kids are disappointed because they thought they could beat them."

Lawrence was his usual solid self, finishing with 14 points and 14 assists while creating havoc off the dribble, though his bruised hand appeared to affect him at the free-throw line, where he shot just 4-for-10.

The senior point guard, who suffered the injury over Thanksgiving, could barely dribble a basketball Saturday.

Anders downplayed the injury afterward, saying he expects Lawrence to be healed in about a week. Still, for a Rams team with state title aspirations, it's nice to know the big men are there.

[Last modified November 27, 2007, 23:56:05]