Basketball: Northside Chr. comes away with close win

By Nathan Cowan
Published December 23, 2007

PINELLAS PARK - The Northside Christian Mustangs didn't let out their breath until Northeast's Aphonide Exilhomme's jump shot caromed off the rim. The Mustangs held on for a 47-45 victory Saturday to claim the Pinellas Park Holiday Classic.

"It was nail-biter out there," Mustangs coach D.J. Jackson said.

Northside led by 10 at the end of the first quarter, but Northeast coach Chris Holler made adjustments and the Vikings outscored the Mustangs 16-9 in the second quarter to make it 21-18 at halftime.

With the score tied at 42-all in the fourth quarter, Amy Spath hit a 3 in her first varsity game to put Northside up 45-42. After a turnover, Kayla Walton got free for the winning layup. Exilhomme hit a quick 3 but couldn't come up with the next basket for the win.

Walton, who was named tournament MVP, finished the game with 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Rachel Logemann scored 14 and her sister Jess scored nine and had six assists. Rachel Logemann, Exilhomme and Rentz made the all-tournament team.

In a battle of Patriots, Pinellas Park won the boys championship over Freedom in a game that wasn't as close as the score. Pinellas Park got a quick basket from Jesse Woods and never looked back in winning 78-58.

"Our players played really well," Pinellas Park coach Alan Carden said. "We shot the ball well in the first half and really executed in the second half."

Tournament MVP Cam Carden led the way with seven 3-pointers en route to 28 points and six assists. All-tournament team members Jake Troyli and Woods provided the muscle down low. Troyli finished with 19 points and eight rebounds and Woods added 14 and nine. Point guard Cory Carden finished the game with 10 assists.