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Ridgewood, Bloomingdale Make Final

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By CHRIS ERRINGTON

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 20, 2008

TAMPA - Prior to Friday night's Outback Steakhouse Invitational semifinal against visiting Ridgewood, Berkeley Prep coach Bobby Reinhart made a prediction as to the game's key. For the Bucs, it would prove haunting.

Despite stressing the need to rebound against the bigger and often stronger Rams, Reinhart watched in almost disbelief as Ridgewood dominated in grabbing 47 rebounds in a convincing 66-50 victory.

The victory sends Ridgewood (9-2) into tonight's 7:30 final vs. Bloomingdale, a 68-55 winner against Orlando First Academy earlier in the day.

"I wrote two words on the board and one was 'boards,'" Reinhart said. "We couldn't keep them off the offensive boards and when you miss 42 shots, you hope to get some of your own at the other end. We couldn't do that either and it cost us."
Ridgewood held a commanding 47-24 edge in rebounds, with 19 of them coming on the offensive end, resulting in numerous second-chance baskets.

Ridgewood's 6-foot-8 senior forward Lukas Poderis led all scorers with 24 points. Bryan Jones scored 12, while Charles Jones and Jacob Rauh each added 10. Johnathan Gray scored a team-high 18 for Berkeley Prep (5-2).

The Bucs play First Academy in today's third-place game at 4:30 p.m.

Plant, a 66-55 winner against St. Petersburg Catholic, battles Fort Myers Bishop Verot at 6 p.m. for fourth place. SPC takes on Calvary Christian in the day's first game at 3 p.m.

ALONSO TOURNAMENT: The Alonso Holiday boys tournament will be held today, Monday and Tuesday. Teams scheduled to compete are Alonso, Durant, Gainesville St. Francis, Leto, Palm Harbor, Spoto, Wesley Chapel and Wharton. Games begin today at noon; semifinals are Monday at 3:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. and the championship will be played Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

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