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Burnell Becomes Gators' Top Option

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: December 11, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - Last season, Kevin Burnell was one of the last options the Land O' Lakes basketball team used.

They had Jerome Harrison, Mike Espinosa and P.J. Potts, who were option Nos. 1 through 3.

This time around, Burnell is the guy.

"I feel like I had to continue getting better each year," the shooting guard said. "I knew I was going to have to play a lot better since those guys were gone, but Coach just said let it happen."

Tuesday night against Wesley Chapel, Burnell scored a game-high 29 points, leading the way for the Gators' 74-69 victory.

"Awesome kid," Land O' Lakes coach Dave Puhalski said of Burnell. "Great leader, emotional leader, just a hell of a basketball player.

"He was about the second or third option behind Jerome and Mike Espinosa and P.J. so he was kind of quiet last year. We knew he would step up. He did all spring in AAU, in the summer league."

It took some time for Land O'Lakes (5-1) to get into a groove. The squad never was behind much in the first quarter and they only led the Wildcats (3-1) once. That is until late in the second half.

Land O' Lakes fell behind 46-36, but went on a 7-2 run toward the middle of the third quarter.

With Wesley Chapel ahead 50-49, a layup at the 2:16 mark of the third quarter by Burnell gave the Gators a 51-50 lead. By the time the period ended, that lead grew to 57-53.
Wesley Chapel fought back to tie the game at 69, but then Burnell took matters into his own hands. On a baseline drive, the senior tossed up a shot as he was fouled.

The basket was good and he made the free throw for the 72-69 lead.

"I just try to have fun," Burnell said. "I had a fun game tonight, we all played well. We had a rough start, but everybody played together and got the win. That was big."

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