Boys hoops: Talent not overestimated

Seffner's Devin Paularinne is every bit as good as his coach predicted he would be a year ago.

By Keith Niebuhr
Published February 22, 2008

SEFFNER - Devin Paularinne wasn't surprised when he earned Seffner Christian's sixth-man award at last tear's team banquet. But he was by what Crusaders coach Roger Duncan said about him in the moments that followed.

"He said I'd probably end up being the best player ever here," Paularinne said. "He really put the pressure on me."

Thus far, Paularinne is making Duncan look pretty smart.

On a team that will play at Bradenton Christian (25-4) on Saturday night in a Class A region final, the 6-foot-3 sophomore post player averages a team-best 14.1 points a game, is second in steals and third in rebounding.

But the question remains, what did Duncan see in Paularinne, a player who scored 5.4 points a game last season, that led him to speak so highly of his potential?

"For starters, he had a lot of raw talent, a lot of natural ability," Duncan said. "He worked hard in the weight room. He has a great demeanor. And No. 1, he's humble."

In an effort to prove his coach right, Paularinne spent the offseason improving his game. He shot often at home, played pickup games at Seffner Christian's gym and spent time fine-tuning his one-on-one moves.

He also added 25 pounds of muscle.

When the season started, Paularinne made an immediate impact for a squad that is 17-12 and one win from the state final four despite losing three starters to graduation.

He has topped the 30-point mark twice. He produced 23 points in an early-season loss to Bradenton Christian. And after having a rough three quarters in the Crusaders' most recent game against Bayshore Christian, Paularinne scored eight in the fourth quarter to help Seffner Christian advance.

Duncan says Paularinne has "gone above and beyond" his expectations.

And, the coach added, "he will only get better."

Region finals

All games Saturdayat 7 p.m.

6A: Plant City (17-9) at Orlando Evans (23-7)

5A: Lake Howell (24-5) at Brandon (23-4)

A: Seffner Christian (17-12) at Bradenton Christian (25-4)

[Last modified February 21, 2008, 19:54:36]