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Gulf takes 'big step' after eking by Gators

Craig Pridemore sparks an 8-5 run that leads to the unbeaten Buccaneers' third win.

By STEVE LEE
© St. Petersburg Times,
published December 1, 2001

LAND O'LAKES -- Gulf coach Steve Feldman figured Friday night's game against Land O'Lakes would provide a stern test for his Buccaneers.

The Bucs (3-0) earned a passing grade with a 45-43 win over the defending conference and district champion Gators.

"I think (Land O'Lakes coach) David (Puhalski) said it best when he shook my hand. He said, "You guys have come a long way,' " Feldman said.

"This is a big step in the right direction for us."

Both teams scraped for points in the first half, which ended in a tie at 24.

Craig Pridemore's layup early in the third quarter lifted Gulf to a 28-26 lead, and the Buccaneers never trailed again.

Pridemore, who went scoreless in the opening half, recorded all eight of his points in an 8-5 run that gave Gulf a 34-31 advantage.

"We made a conscious effort to get him some touches," Feldman said of Pridemore, a senior forward.

The Bucs' Frank Diana scored a game-high 16 points. His two consecutive layups, the second off a steal, and a free throw staked Gulf to a 39-33 lead.

But Land O'Lakes (1-1) wasn't done. J.W. Bryant's layup with 41 seconds left pulled the Gators within 41-40.

The Buccaneers' Joe Phillips made three of four free throws in the waning seconds to clinch it. Land O'Lakes' Jon Wolaver hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to account for the final margin.

Phillips' last two free throws were the result of a mental error by Drew Weatherford.

The Gators forward called a timeout on an attempted inbounds play when his team didn't have a timeout available.

Weatherford, who led Land O'Lakes with 10 points, hit two three-pointers to give the Gators an early 10-2 lead.

Gulf led most of the second quarter, but Land O'Lakes tied it at 24 on a Wolaver layup after A.J. Brown's missed free throw.

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