Boys 4A hoops: Always an answer

Every time South Lake made a run or tied, Pasco dug deep to pull ahead for the victory.

By IZZY GOULD
Published February 15, 2008

DADE CITY - Poncho Broner often goes home late at night, kicks back and watches video of the game he just coached.

The frenzied pitch the Pirates 21-7 unleash on the court is often too much for him to absorb in one sitting, so recalling intricate details moments after the final buzzer is not his strong suit.

The most important thing Broner needed to know Thursday was that his Pirates defeated Groveland South Lake 60-55, sending them to the region semifinals for the second time this decade. The last trip was in 2005 when the Pirates fell at Melbourne Florida Air 80-51.

Pasco led by as many as 12 in the second half Thursday, but South Lake clawed back thanks to a game-high 21 points by Roy Noel.

The Eagles (16-13) stormed ahead, capping a 14-0 run on a Noel layup to go up 36-34 in the third quarter. But Pasco answered on the other with Tevaris Jordan completing a three-point play on a layup and a foul.

In the fourth quarter South Lake used a smooth layup by Noel to tie at 48 with 2:53 left. Pasco answered swiftly once more with another Jordan layup. He finished with 12 points.

"They didn't come in here to lay down," Broner said. "I expected them to have a run. They gave us that run. ...We had to have an answer, and we did."

Pasco was led by Demetrious Larry and T.J. Bryant, both with 16 points.

"Take nothing from Pasco they played hard," Eagles coach Marcel Thomas said. "They seemed like they wanted it more than we did from beginning to end."

Izzy Gould can be reached at izzygould@gmail.com or (727) 580-5315.

[Last modified February 14, 2008, 23:10:25]