Boys A hoops: Trinity Christian too much for HCA, gutsy senior

By DEREK J. L a RIVIERE
Published February 15, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The Lions were overmatched on the inside and could have been run over Thursday, but thanks to senior Marty George, they were in it until the end.

Hernando Christian, hosting its first state playoff game, lost 76-68 to Trinity Christian.

Although the Eagles (17-10) dominated the glass on both ends and were solid on the interior, the Lions (20-3) held a halftime lead thanks to its long-range shooting.

The Lions were ahead 39-37 after the first two periods and looked as if they might have enough energy to push the Eagles to the edge. And George, a point guard, had them backpedaling and in foul trouble.

"We game-planned around (George) before the game, knowing he was their best player," Eagles coach Brian Soukup said. "There is no way to simulate what a player with that kind of heart can do, though."

George scored a team-high 26 and had four assists. He finished with three of the Lions' 11 3-pointers. Josh Westfall (17 points, three 3s) and Jake Gaustad (18 points, five 3s) helped the Lions keep pace.

But the Eagles' 21-12 third quarter was enough to give them an insurmountable lead. They maintained the lead by winning the battle on the boards 36-17. The interior duo of forwards Andrew Peterkin (27 points, 10 rebounds) and Jacolby Washington (20 points, 13 rebounds) was unstoppable.

[Last modified February 14, 2008, 23:07:27]