North Suncoast: News and notes

By DAVID MURPHY
Published January 8, 2008

On the Web: Dandy dozen

Among North Suncoast teams, the Land O'Lakes girls rank highest at No. 4 and the Ridgewood boys at No. 6 in our rankings of the best basketball teams in the bay area. For more, head to highschool.tampabay.com.

A winter break for Hudson

A brief appearance at the Jesuit Shootout notwithstanding, Christmas was a time of rest and relaxation for the Hudson boys basketball team.

Midway through its most successful season since anyone at the school can remember, the 8-7 Cobras will have played just two games in 21 days by the time they take the court Thursday night against Class 4A, District 8 rival Nature Coast.

Hudson coach Jason Vetter said he has tried to use the break to his advantage, giving his players last week off from practice, the first time he has ever done so.

With district games against Nature Coast, Springstead and Zephyrhills coming up, the goal is to be rested and healthy.

And if the strategy backfires and the Cobras come out rusty against the Sharks?

"I guess I won't give players the week off anymore," Vetter said.

Pasco at Gulf, boys basketball, 7:30 p.m.

Tonight's intra-county matchup features teams that are both part of a wide-open Class 4A, District 8 race. Pasco 8-4 was upset by River Ridge 53-42 on Friday; Gulf hasn't played in 19 days. Will the long layoff help the Bucs, who entered winter break at 4-11? Can Pasco, led by the a scoring tandem of Ulyssee Bryant and Demetrious Larry that is averaging more 40 points, regain the form it had when it won five straight to open December?

[Last modified January 8, 2008, 01:31:24]