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Ridgewood Edges Land O' Lakes For Third Time

By CLIFF GILL, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - In a physical game that included 40 personal fouls, three technical fouls and one ejection, Ridgewood edged Land O' Lakes 66-65 to capture the Class 5A-District 7 championship.

The game was close throughout, and neither team had a lead bigger than seven points. Similar to the two regular-season matchups, won by Ridgewood 70-66 and 70-69, Saturday's game featured 23 lead changes and 11 ties.

In the second quarter, the Gators' Kevin Burnell carried the offense, scoring seven of his team's 11 points. At halftime, the Rams (23-3) led 29-25.

In the third quarter, the Gators (21-7) led for the first time. Jerome Harrison, the Gators' leading scorer, hit four long jumpers, including a 3-pointer.

As the fourth quarter began, the Gators led 51-48 and quickly built the cushion to seven as Mike Espinosa and John Weatherford scored uncontested layups in front of Lucas Poderis, who was saddled with four fouls.

The Rams countered with Alvin Satram and Mike Lawrence either driving or dishing off for easy scores. With 4:34 remaining, Rams senior Byronell Arline sank two free throws to get the lead back for the Rams at 61-59.

With less than a minute remaining and the Gators down 66-63, Gators coach Dave Puhalski called a timeout. When play resumed, the Gators cleared the lane and Harrison drove up the middle for a layup. After two missed free throws by the Rams, the Gators got two more chances to win the game, but both shot attempts missed.

After the game, Anders was relieved no fouls were called on the two final plays. Poderis, who finished with 30 points, 22 rebounds and 10 blocked shots, changed his game after picking up his fourth foul. "I couldn't defend as aggressively as I wanted to because of my foul situation," Poderis said.

Satram and Lawrence finished with 13 points each.

Lawrence explained why the games between these schools were so close. "Both teams are well-coached and disciplined to know where each player is supposed to be. We've played each other so many times, it always comes down to which team executes better."

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