Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Big second half propels Gators

By STEVE LEE

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 25, 2001

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Land O'Lakes coach Dave Puhalski said Wesley Chapel was an improved team after Wednesday's 77-49 win over the Wildcats.

Technically, he had a point.

One, to be exact.

The Gators' 28-point margin of victory was one fewer than when the Sunshine Athletic Conference foes met earlier this season.

"They wouldn't go away," Puhalski said. "They scrapped and fought all night."

"We were in it a little longer this time," added Wesley Chapel coach Roy Harden.

The Wildcats (13-7) battled for most of the first half, tying the game at 19 on Matt Harden's reverse layup and trailing by eight at the break. Which, coach Harden noted, was not bad against the fifth-ranked team in the Class 5A state poll.

But Land O'Lakes' Baisley brothers keyed a 9-2 run before halftime to break open a close game as Brian Baisley hit two jumpers and Jeff Baisley drained a three-pointer. The senior forwards tied for the team lead in scoring with 18 points apiece.

Center Sam Weatherford added 16 for the Gators (21-2).

Wesley Chapel's Scott Sorensen, who on Tuesday scored a career-high 46 points against Hudson, led all scorers with 19. He had four three-pointers and went 3-for-3 at the free-throw line.

The Wildcats, however, did not get to the line nearly as often as the Gators. Wesley Chapel made 5 of 9 free throws compared to Land O'Lakes' 14 of 22.

"He's got such a good basketball team; he's got depth," coach Harden said of Puhalski's Gators.

The first quarter was the closest as Land O'Lakes took an 18-15 lead behind Jeff Baisley's 11 points.

Wesley Chapel trailed by four early in the second half when Matt Harden, who finished with 10 points, hit a short jumper and a reverse layup to force the last tie of the contest.

Ryan Van Blarcom's breakaway layup lifted Land O'Lakes to a 21-19 lead it would not relinquish. Later, Van Blarcom's steal and layup gave the Gators a 37-27 lead.

"A win on the road, late in the season ... we'll take it," Puhalski said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright