Boys basketball: Alonso Classic

Lions bench steps up when needed most

By Mike Camunas
Published January 5, 2008

TAMPA - King center Toarlyn Fitzpatrick would like to thank his bench.

That's because the 6-foot-7 junior picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter, limiting his action in the first half of the Lions' 63-50 semifinal win over Hardee at the inaugural Alonso Holiday Classic on Friday. In turn, King's bench scored 24, including seven from forward Chad Outland.

"We got real good play from our bench and we kept them in there to get them their minutes," said Fitzpatrick, who entered the game averaging 15.6 points. "They actually gave us more of a lead than anything else, and I'd like to congratulate them."

Fitzpatrick, who has interest from colleges such as Florida, Florida State, USF and UCF, as well as Clemson and Illinois, had a team-high 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a 3-pointer, though he played sparingly throughout.

"That's another reason I'm happy my bench played well when they did," Fitzpatrick said. "I wasn't able to play as many minutes as I normally do, but they really stepped up."

King (7-3) took a 34-28 lead into the third, but got a little extra help from the referees. Hardee coach Vance Dickey picked up a technical for criticizing a call, then quickly picked up another to get ejected after refusing to stop.

"That was definitely a difference (maker)," Lanier said of the technical fouls. "We had little momentum going into that, then we got that and built on it until the pendulum swung all the way to our side."

The Lions picked up their defense in the third as well, allowing just seven points by the Wildcats (7-4), who relied heavily on center Mark St. Fort and his game-high 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Arnold Louis also scored 12 before fouling out in the fourth. But Lanier knew that once his big guy got to play, the Lions would be much better off.

"Once he got back out there he started playing better," Lanier said. "He picked up those two fouls and that always affects him, having to pull him and keep him until the second half, but once he got back out there, he had some very good looks.

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

[Last modified January 4, 2008, 21:47:17]