Flom takes charge, scores 17 in Plant win

By JOE SMITH, Times Staff Writer
Published December 13, 2007

TAMPA - Plant senior Chandler Flom has good handles for a big man.

And the 6-foot-3, 250-pound southpaw has big brother partly to thank. Flom said Taylor, 22, used his 6-5, 280-pound frame to back him down often in driveway drubbings.

Said Flom: "When I played (older kids), I'd have to play like a guard."

But as Flom showed Wednesday night, he can hold his own inside. Flom racked up nine of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, helping the state-ranked Panthers outlast defending district champion Middleton 52-46.

The Tigers (8-2, 5-2) held one of the county's top scorers, junior guard Sheldon Cooley to nine points - 18 below his average. But the Panthers (9-0, 9-0) proved they're far from a one-man show.

Flom "is one of the best players in the county," Middleton coach Derek Smith said. "And he showed why tonight."

The Tigers showed why they're district contenders; scrappy, full-court pressure frazzled Plant in the first half. Middleton senior Khiry Anfield (18 points) gave the Tigers a huge lift, scoring 11 in a three-minute span in the second quarter, helping them take a seven-point halftime lead.

"I think they played a little scared," Plant coach Mike Phillips said. "We questioned their manhood (at halftime). Are they going to lay down? Or are they going attack?"

The Panthers battled back inside and with Anfield missing most of the third quarter with foul trouble, the Tigers were outscored 17-8.

And in the fourth, Flom took over. He scored in transition. He put back an offensive rebound. He spun baseline and sank a shot. And with Plant up by four with 44 seconds left, he dove on the floor to secure a loose ball and seal the deal.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 00:00:29]