'Chemistry' produces SPC hot streak

Perhaps it's the blend of experience and freshman enthusiasm.

Maybe it's health and depth. Or perhaps it's the new uniforms.

Whatever the reason, St. Petersburg College is off to one of its best starts in men's basketball.

Since dropping their first two games, the Titans have won eight straight through Wednesday's meeting with Seminole Community College.

St. Petersburg is ranked fifth in the state and a serious contender for a Suncoast Conference championship. Coach Earnest Crumbley has an explanation for the Titans' hot streak.

"It's chemistry," Crumbley said. "There are no egos. I told them to check those at the door. No excuses, play hard. That's our motto."

SPC has a good mix of experience and youth.

Sophomores Donnell Johnson, Nick Berry and Brian Morrow were starters last season and have contributed mightily. Berry scored a career-high 37 points against Seminole and had a winning tip-in.

"We're riding his back right now," Crumbley said of Berry. "He's a very important piece of the team."

Then there are freshmen who've made an immediate impact.

Former Boca Ciega player David Pierce, Carl Jenkins, Terrance Taylor, Orien Hatcher and Cavin Cummings have played key roles.

"Cavin is what I call a game changer," Crumbley said. "When he's in there, the game's played at a faster pace."

The Titans have three more games, all at home, before taking a break until Jan. 5. They play Tuesday against Florida College, Thursday vs. Miami-Dade CC and Saturday against Central Florida CC. After a strong start to the season, being idle for nearly a month isn't something St. Petersburg is looking forward to. Crumbley, nevertheless, had a notion at the beginning that this team could be special.

"I had a feeling after the first two games, even though they were losses, that we could be a good team," he said. "We played well enough to win those games.

"Experience is the big factor that you can't coach," Crumbley said. "It usually takes about five or six games for everyone to get used to everybody. But with the experience we have, we've been able to play well right away."

ECKERD WOMEN: The Tritons were among four Sunshine State Conference teams to participate in the SSC Challenge at Disney's Wide World of Sports on Wednesday and Thursday.

Eckerd lost to Glenville State 86-77 in the first game, then dropped a 76-64 decision to Cameron College of Oklahoma. In the recent Triton Invitational, Eckerd lost to Carson-Newman and Augustana. The Tritons' Felecia Felton scored 19 points in both games.

ECKERD MEN: Every season the Tritons are supposed to be too slow, too small, too thin to compete in the Sunshine State Conference.

Usually, those projections are wrong.

Eckerd (3-1) is off to another strong start and appears to be ready for the conference schedule in January.

Dewayne "Tiny" Smith, a former Lakewood player, is second in league scoring through four games with an 18.8 average. The senior isn't the only player contributing, though.

Sophomore Anthony Washington is among SSC leaders with 12.2 points per game. Former Lakewood player Brian Stapf, a senior, is averaging 11.5 points. Then there's junior center Cerwin Thompson, who's third with 8.8 rebounds per game. He's second in field goal percentage (76.5).

Junior Kendrick Wilson is leading Eckerd in assists (3.25 per game), free-throw percentage (91.7) and three-point shooting (5-for-8).

The Tritons should get a boost by the addition of two Swedish players.

Freshman guard Per Hultman-boye and 6-foot-9 freshman center Jonas Wernqvist could make an impact. Former Boca Ciega guard Sharrod McCree has been valuable as a reserve.

After playing in the Queens College Invitational last week, Eckerd returns home Thursday to take on Nova Southeastern.

DEMUS HONORED: Eckerd senior volleyball player Michelle Demus was named to the Academic All-District First Team.

The middle hitter had 214 kills in 119 games.

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