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Terps Take City Of Tampa

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Hillsborough's Adolpheus Barnes, left, looses control of the ball while Tampa Prep's Jamal Cherry watches during the first half.

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2008

TAMPA - With 4.6 seconds remaining in the title game of the City of Tampa Championships boys basketball tournament at Tampa Prep on Tuesday, Tampa Prep junior guard Jamal Cherry stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to tie or give his team the lead against Hillsborough.

Cherry sank both free throws to give the Terrapins a 67-66 win and their second consecutive tournament championship.

"No conscious," said Cherry about making the free throws under pressure. "You can't think about it."

On the ensuing possession, Hillsborough guard Antonio Chow sprinted down the court for a last-second shot and was able to free himself for a layup, but was blocked from behind by Cherry.

Hillsborough led 66-62 with 21.8 seconds left when Tampa Prep senior guard Jake Haslem hit a 3-pointer. The Terriers had a chance to score on the following possession, but a player driving to the basket slipped and fell out of bounds. Cherry then drove to the basket and was fouled in the act of shooting.

Junior forward Jay Bowie scored a game-high 24 points, along with 11 rebounds, to lead Prep (10-0) and earn tournament MVP honors. Haslem finished with 14 points and four assists and joined Cherry on the all-tournament team.

"It came down to two guys we would like to have with the ball in their hands on our last possession," Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon said.

Hillsborough guards Alvon Woodard and Juan Washington, both named to the all-tournament team, led the Terriers with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

"It was the up-and-down situations, tough calls and free throws that did us in," Hillsborough coach Andre Lewis said. "It was a good game. The crowd got their money's worth."

SICKLES WINS AT CITY OF PALMS: Senior center John Henson led Sickles (9-2) with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks, his second triple-double of the season, in a 72-47 win against host Bishop Verot at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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