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Middleton, Plant Cruise Into District Championship

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By SCOTT PURKS, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 9, 2008

TAMPA - Middleton and Plant - the teams many expected to be in tonight's Class 5A-District 10 final - all but walked through Friday's semifinals: Middleton beating Chamberlain 65-45 and Plant defeating Hillsborough 74-33.

Tonight's favorite, however, is too close to call. In the regular season, the teams split in games decided by a couple of baskets.

Chamberlain coach Doug Aplin, who found a way to beat both Middleton and Plant in the regular season, didn't predict a winner for tonight. But, after getting whacked Friday by the Tigers, Aplin did concede the following: "The truth is, if we would have played our very best I don't think we would have had enough to beat Middleton tonight. That's just how well they played. When Middleton shoots well, they can beat a lot of people."

On Friday, the Tigers did most of their damage close to the basket as 6-foot-6 Jay Bowie scored 16 and 6-3 Khiry Anfield had 13 points and 17 rebounds.

Middleton also played tough defense, holding the Chiefs to 16 first-half points.

Plant's victory was similar, at least after the first quarter, which ended tied at 13. After that, it was all Panthers, as they outscored Hillsborough 29-8 in the second quarter and 26-10 in the third.

"I thought if we came out and played hard that the outcome would be something like it was," said Plant coach Mike Phillips, who earned his 200th career victory by beating Hillsborough. "We did just about what we wanted to do."

The only real question was the health of Plant starting point guard Kevin James, who twisted his ankle in the second quarter, was carried off the court and never returned.

"No need to worry," Phillips said. "He's fine, and I expect him to start tonight."

Without James in the lineup, Plant was led by Sheldon Cooley (28 points that included 14-of-21 from the foul line) and Chandler Flom (26 points).

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