Boys 5A hoops: Gators can't handle Eagles

"Everything that could go wrong did go wrong," Land O'Lakes coach Puhalski says.

By JOE SMITH
Published February 15, 2008

BRANDON - Brandon senior forward Marcus Morrison said the Eagles came away from last season's early postseason exit with a big lesson:

Talent doesn't (always) win games.

But a combo of talent and tenacity does.

The Eagles showed why Thursday, clicking on all cylinders in a 68-44 win over Land O'Lakes in a 5A region quarterfinal.

Four Eagles reached double figures, taking advantage of Gators turnovers from the start to hold a double-digit lead for all but seven minutes.

"We didn't shoot, we didn't pass, we didn't play defense," Land O'Lakes coach David Puhalski said. "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong."

The Gators entered the game having won six of their past seven, losing to Ridgewood by one in the district final. But they played without their point guard, P.J. Potts, who sat because of an FHSAA suspension stemming from his ejection last week.

On Thursday, the Eagles' guards stole the show. Sharpshooting senior Blake Allen (21 points) sank three 3-pointers. Tarron Stewart slashed to the lane, hitting acrobatic shots in traffic.

And Brandon's forwards cleaned up inside, with senior Evan Ravenel (17 points) and Morrison (13), who is having a "breakout season."

Morrison, a 6-foot-6 ball of energy, said it was all sparked with a team mentality - "intensity all the time."

One year from being knocked out in districts, the Eagles play in a region semifinal Tuesday at Ridgewood, with hopes of becoming the latest Brandon team to make a state semifinal run.

Jerome Harrison led Land O'Lakes with 12.

[Last modified February 14, 2008, 23:36:42]