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Terps still must answer questions

Tampa Catholic has been winning by a lot of points but hasn't played a tough schedule.

By SCOTT PURKS

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 2001

TAMPA -- Yes, Tampa Prep has bludgeoned its opponents.

Final scores in the Terps' 15-0 record include 68-11, 60-9 and 58-23. But the truth is, the scores could have been a lot worse.

There is little doubt that on some nights Tampa Prep could have beaten teams the way New Jersey's Camden High and Texas' Heritage Christian Academy did Tuesday.

In those games, Camden's Dajuan Wagner scored 100 points in a 157-67 win over Gloucester Township Technical. And in Texas, Cedric Hensley scored 101 (including 17 in the final 21/2 minutes) in a 178-28 win over Banff Christian.

"No, no, no," Tampa Prep coach Suzanne Marfise said. "We haven't played our starters in most games past the first half. We haven't tried to run it up at all."

Marfise also has tried to slow down the Terps' offensive avalanche by requiring players to make a certain number of passes before shooting, shooting only three-pointers from set plays and running only designed low-post plays. "Let's just say we've gotten in a lot of practice during games," she said.

But that's not the best thing either.

Marfise would have loved to play a tougher schedule, but two things worked against her. She is in her first year as Tampa Prep's coach and the schedule was put together before three key players transferred during the summer.

Lara Schoomaker came from Robinson, Morgan Mander from Zephyrhills and Samantha Fleat from Academy of the Holy Names. Add those players to returners Kyle Dalton and Amber Langston, and suddenly, Tampa Prep is way too good for its schedule.

The lighter opponents also make many wonder if Tampa Prep is worthy of its No. 1 ranking in Class 2A, a spot the Terps ascended to after winning 53-49 Friday on the road against one of the few tough teams on its schedule, Lakeland Christian.

"That was a great game for us because we were in a loud gym on the road against a tough, well-coached team," Marfise said. "We were up by 12 and then we had to hold them off as they made a furious comeback.

"At the end of the game (Lakeland Christian) exposed some weaknesses (in outscoring Tampa Prep 23-15 in the final quarter)."

Namely that Tampa Prep will need to do a better job of protecting the ball against the press.

"Usually, we just give the ball to (Dalton), and she can just dribble through any press," Marfise said. "But we learned that's not going to work against good teams like Lakeland Christian."

The Terps, whose entire starting lineup is composed of players from the school's successful volleyball program, say they have plenty of perspective.

"We have played a lot of summer leagues against a lot of good players, including college players," said Langston, a long-range sharpshooter averaging 19 points a game. "So we know we have a strong team and can compete for the state title. The thing we have to do is stay focused."

Said Dalton, "Sure, we're beating teams by a lot of points, but we know that we have to work hard to prepare for the playoffs. We know we can't take anything for granted."

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