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By WAYNE GRUMET
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 10, 2001
WESLEY CHAPEL -- Wesley Chapel saw a completely different Pasco team Friday. The last time they met, Wesley Chapel held off the Pirates for a win.
Pasco played that game without two key ingredients: Joe Bain and Leonard Bates.
This time, Bates and Bain helped Pasco outrun Wesley Chapel 71-57 for its eighth consecutive win. The winning streak began the day Bates returned from an academic suspension.
Pasco (14-13) is peaking at the right time, grabbing the top seed for next week's Class 4A, District 8 tournament.
Bates began the game by picking up two fouls and missing 5 of 7 shots. Pasco coach Willie "Poncho" Broner III sat Bates for most of the first half.
When Bates returned, he sparked a 10-0 run that opened up a 48-38 Pasco lead. Bates scored four points and assisted on another basket.
"I thought (Bates) might have been trying to force things to much," Broner said. "I just wanted to sit him down, have him look at the game so he could settle himself down and get back into it."
Bates scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half.
While Bates sat, Izele Wilson more than picked up the slack, scoring 12 of his 20 points in the first half.
Bain was a force on offense and defense, finishing with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
Wesley Chapel (15-11) did not go quietly on its senior night. The Wildcats began the fourth quarter with a 12-0 run, opening up a 57-55 lead.
Scott Sorenson led the Wildcats back with six points and two assists during the run. He finished with 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals.
After Wesley Chapel took its first lead since halftime, the Pirates came back to life, closing the game with a 16-0 run.
Bates again was the key, scoring four points with two assists.