Basketball: Go-to Gator comes through

By Mike Camunas
Published January 5, 2008

TAMPA - Jerome Harrison took care of business Friday, scoring a game-high 20 as Land O'Lakes downed Palm Harbor University 82-57 in its semifinal at the inaugural Alonso Holiday Classic.

"The team is just looking for me," said Harrison, a senior. "They're always looking to get me ball, and I just have to finish. I'm having fun out there just taking care of business."

Harrison, who entered averaging 18.3 points and scored 25 Thursday against host Alonso, was 6-of-8 from the field and had two 3s Friday.

"We run a lot of things through (Jerome)," Land O'Lakes coach Dave Puhalski said. "He's our catalyst. It always seems that when he's on, everyone else is on."

The Gators (13-2) struggled in the first quarter, letting the Hurricanes (5-9) jump out to a 6-0 lead and trailed 19-18 at the end. Land O'Lakes only led 32-27 at the half.

"We didn't shoot very well in the first half," Puhalski said. "I think we were 2-for-14 for 3s in the first half. I think we really picked it up shooting-wise in the second half, taking advantage of every opportunity we had.

"But the defense improved, which led to turnovers and then some easy baskets."

Land O'Lakes also had strong post play from center Mike Espinosa, who had 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting inside the paint. Guards Kevin Burnell and Ely Payne added 14 and 11, respectively.

"We ran with the ball, then we started shooting well to get them out of their zone," Harrison said. "Teams haven't been playing man to man on us for whatever reason."

PHU got 12 points from Tyler Stevenson, but couldn't overcome shooting 20-of-41.

Land O'Lakes faces King in today's 5:30 final.

Indian Rocks tournament

Ridgewood's girls (8-4) beat Indian Rocks Christian 48-28 in Friday's semifinal, setting up a final with bay area powerhouse St. Petersburg Catholic (16-1). SPC topped Boca Ciega 60-53 in the other semifinal.

[Last modified January 4, 2008, 22:57:29]