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Cobras Upset Eagles

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By LARRY BUGG, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 9, 2008

DADE CITY - Fifth-seeded Hudson upset top-seeded Springstead 48-44 and Pasco came up with late free throws to down No. 3 seed Brooksville Nature Coast 36-32 in the Class 4A-District 8 semifinals Friday night.

Pasco, (19-7) the No. 2 seed, will meet Hudson in the championship game tonight at 7.

Hudson downed Springstead to give the Cobras (15-12) their first trip to a regional playoff game.

Hudson's Jarred Bronco hit 10 of 12 free throws and scored 16 points to lead the Cobras past Springstead (22-5).

Springstead was playing without leading scorer Dante Valentine, who was out with a dislocated elbow.

There was plenty of reason for Hudson to celebrate.

"This is the biggest victory in the history of the program," Hudson coach Jason Vetter said. "We used man-to-man defense. They Springstead haven't seen that before. We didn't allow them any offensive rebounds."

Hudson's Stephen Brom had seven points and nine rebounds.

Springstead's Nehemiah Mason scored 19 points before fouling out late in the game.

Pasco took a 7-2 first-quarter lead before Nature Coast outscored the Pirates 11-4 to take a 13-11 halftime lead.

In the final quarter, Pasco's Demetrius Larry hit all six free-throw attempts to secure the victory. All of his charity stripe points came in the game's final two minutes.

Both teams had problems hitting field goals but Pasco hit eight of 12 free throws to take the victory.

T.J. Bryant led Pasco with 14 points.

Terry Reshad led Nature Coast (19-8) with 18 points.

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