TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Brandon, Wharton Advance

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

TAMPA - Brandon senior guard Tarron Stewart led the top-seeded Eagles with 17 points and six rebounds in a 69-50 win over Armwood on Friday to advance to the Class 5A-District 8 boys basketball district final.

Brandon (20-4) will face district rival Wharton, which defeated Bloomingdale 56-46 in double overtime in the other semifinal, in the championship tonight at 7 p.m.

Stewart caused numerous problems for Armwood's defense from the high post position, repeatedly driving to the basket against slower and taller players. If he was stopped, he was able to pass to 6-foot-8 center Evan Ravenel or 6-6 forward Marcus Morrison.

"It was a good win for the team," Stewart said. "Last year, we lost in the semifinals and that was on our minds. We did not want to lose. Everyone was going to do what it took to win."

Morrison added 15 pints and six rebounds, while Ravenel finished with 13 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Sam Gibson led Armwood (15-10) with 16 points while senior guard Adam Sollazzo added 12.

Senior center Andreas Shields led Wharton (15-12) with 15 points, while Bloomingdale (11-13) junior standout Callum Townsend, who has averaged 27 points per game this season, finished with 12. Wharton senior Anthony Manuel made a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.

The Wildcats, the defending district champs, started the season 1-6 but won 10 straight games in January to earn the second seed in the district.

"You have to make stops and control the ball," Wharton first-year coach Comer Copeland said. "We lost close games because we couldn't play defense and rebound."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT