Sports

The basketball guide

A quick look at the trends, teams and names to keep an eye on.

By Bob Putnam
Published December 14, 2007

---

ADVERTISEMENT

Boys

Glass eaters

1. Antwan Carson,Northeast: The senior averages a county-best 15.2 rebounds per game.

2. Adam Graves,Canterbury: The Crusaders' Mr. Inside has 63 rebounds.

3. Jake Troyli, Pinellas Park: The Presbyterian College signee has a team-best 9.3 rebounds per game.

4. Gerard Atkins,Dixie Hollins: The Rebels' best post player has 51 rebounds.

5. Christian bibi Ndongo,Calvary Christian: The Warriors' top returning player has 49 rebounds.

 

Trey trouble

1. Cam Carden,Pinellas Park: The county's top sharpshooter has made 26 3-pointers.

2. Drew Phillips,Northside Christian: The Mustangs' top scorer has 26 3s.

3. Tracy Parks, St. Petersburg Catholic: Known for long heaves, Parks has 19 3s.

4. Kendall O'Neill,East Lake: The son of former Countryside coach Joe O'Neill has 19 3s.

5. Jordan Fair, Oldsmar Christian: The North Florida signee has 16 3s.

 

Can't-miss matchups

Tonight, Lakewoodat Boca Ciega, 7:30: A district battle between south county's top teams.

Tuesday, Pinellas Parkat Largo, 7:30: The Patriots get a tough test against the surprising Packers.

Dec. 21, Ridgewood at Clearwater, 8: Intriguing matchup in the Brighthouse tournament with two of the area's top teams.

 

Hidden gems

Eric Segert, CC Catholic: The Marauders' go-to player averages 26.7 points per game.

Isaac McMillen, IRC: The younger brother of the county's all-time leading scorer, Gabe. Issac averages 22.2 points per game.

Antwan Carter, St. Petersburg: With Shamon Cox gone, Carter has picked up his offensive production with 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

 

Super seven

1. Clearwater (7-0): The Tornadoes, who boast the county's tallest front court, have dominated opponents and are ranked No. 3 in the Class 5A state poll.

2. Lakewood (6-0): The Spartans are cruising against south county competition and are receiving votes in the state poll.

3. Pinellas Park (7-0): The Patriots, ranked No. 7 in 5A, average nearly 70 points per game.

4. Boca Ciega (5-1): The Pirates have won five straight since dropping their season opener to Clearwater

5. Largo (5-1): Packers coach Phil Price got through the first month with a depleted lineup an now gets football players back.

6. St. Petersburg (4-2)*: The Green Devils are still a threat in south county with both losses coming to noncounty teams.

7. Calvary Christian (5-2): The Warriors' only losses are to Oldsmar Christian and Berkeley Prep.

*Record through Wednesday 

Girls

Glass eaters

1. Courtney St. Louis, Indian Rocks Christian: An inside force, St. Louis has 110 rebounds.

2. Nicole Crafton, Tarpon Springs: She flies to the ball and has 103 rebounds.

3. Kayla Walton,Northside Christian: A towering presence at 6-2, Walton has 82 rebounds.

4. Meredith Monti, Indian Rocks Christian: She powers the paint with 82 rebounds.

5. Sasha Chaplin, SP Catholic: The county's most dominating post player has 72 rebounds.

 

Trey trouble

1. Cara Trudell, Dunedin: The long-range specialist has made 19 3-pointers.

2. Latavia Dempsey, Boca Ciega: One of the Pirates' top playmakers, Dempsey has 16 3s.

3. Keona Dixon, Clearwater: Known for buzzer beaters, Dixon has 15 3s.

4. Mo Jackson,Northside Christian: The Mustangs' veteran has hit 13 from beyond the arc.

5. Veronica Ryan, Clearwater: The younger sister of former star Nicole, Veronica has 12 3s.

 

Can't-miss matchups

Tonight, SP Catholic at Academy of the Holy Names, 7:30: Both teams have met in the region final the past two seasons.

Saturday, Clearwater atBoca Ciega, 7:45: The top teams in the bay area have their only regular-season meeting.

Tuesday, Dunedin atLakewood, 7:45: The Falcons start the tough part of their schedule against the Spartans.

Super seven

1. Boca Ciega (9-0): The Pirates, who have more depth than any team in the county, are overwhelming opponents.

2. Clearwater (10-1): The Tornadoes' only loss was to Sarasota Riverview.

3. SP Catholic (9-0): Sasha Chaplin is leading the Barons to one of their best starts.

4. Dunedin (10-2): New coach Dustin Bengston has Falcons on right path.

5. Lakewood (8-3): The Spartans' three losses are to Orlando Boone, Boca Ciega and Clearwater.

6. Largo (6-2): The Packers are off to their best start since their final four run in 2005-06.

7. St. Petersburg (7-3): The Green Devils need to rebound to get back into district race.

Hidden gems

Egypt Thomas, Largo: The Seminole transfer averages 24 points per game.

Tori Robison, Dixie Hollins: The Warner Southern signee averages 14 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocked shots and 2.0 assists per game.

Alli Corbett, Tarpon Springs: The Sponger is the third-leading scorer in the county with 17.9 points per game.

[Last modified December 14, 2007, 00:15:24]