Boys 3A hoops: Poor rebounding trips Barons in second half

By Special to the Times
Published February 20, 2008

FORT MYERS - St. Petersburg Catholic coach Mike Moran knew entering Tuesday's semifinal that his team might struggle to keep Dunbar off the glass. That, coupled with a gargantuan game by Tigers sophomore David Paulk, proved to be the difference as the Barons fell 73-65.

Paulk, a 6-foot-5 forward, poured in a career-high 30 - scoring 15 in each half.

"He's as good as anybody we've played against all year long," Moran said.

The Tigers (21-7) also did a good job of slowing St. Petersburg Catholic senior Tracy Parks, who was held to 18 points, seven below his season average.

But Dunbar's rebounding dominance, especially on the offensive end, did in the Barons.

With the teams tied at 34 at the start of the third quarter, Dunbar's ability to get easy baskets allowed the Tigers to pull away in the second half.

Dunbar led by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter and sank 9 of 10 free throws in the final two minutes to thwart any chance of a comeback by the Barons (19-8).

Junior forward Julian Dudley led St. Petersburg Catholic with 25 points.

Dan Deluca, Special to the Times

[Last modified February 19, 2008, 23:46:50]