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THURSDAY'S REGIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

Wharton At Ridgewood
At 15-13, Wharton was the Class 5A-Region 8 runner-up, losing to Brandon 42-38 in the district final. Wharton also beat Brandon 66-40 on Jan. 16, so the Wildcats shouldn't be considered a pushover for Ridgewood. Wharton started the season 3-14 and has since gone on a tear, going 12-2. The Wildcats have three players who average double digits in scoring - Anthony Manuel (14.8), Derek Holmes (13.5) and Chris Jean-Louis (12.2). Ridgewood (23-3), on the other hand, has been rolling all season long. However, the Rams haven't been without their close calls. The good news for Ridgewood is that both of those recent close calls have come against Land O' Lakes, and that's not who the Rams are playing. The other good news is that Ridgewood has proven it doesn't have to blow teams out to win.

Land O' Lakes At Brandon

With a 21-4 record, Brandon is the team that nobody really wants to face in the playoffs. Producing offense hasn't been a struggle for the Eagles at all this season. Blake Allen (6 feet) leads the team in scoring at 19.3 points per game. He is one of four players who average double figures in scoring. Marcus Morrison (6-6) and Evan Ravenel (6-8) both are averaging double-doubles this season. Morrison has 16.3 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. Ravenel has 14 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Tarron Stewart (6-0) also has averaged 16.3 points per game. Land O' Lakes shouldn't be counted out, as the Gators were one of the few teams to challenge Ridgewood this season, and Brandon isn't unbeatable as Wharton proved. Land O' Lakes (21-6) has struggled in late-game situations this season, and now would be the perfect time to snap out of that. The Gators will be without P.J. Potts after he was ejected in the district final, but Land O' Lakes has a lot of depth. With as many points as Brandon scores, Land O' Lakes' success likely will depend on its defense.

Southlake At Pasco

The secret to Pasco's success has been two obvious offensive threats in T.J. Bryant (18.4 points per game) and Demetrious Larry (18.9 ppg). The Pirates have been riding these two all season, and they won't deviate from that plan as long as their season lasts. Jobie Elliott (7.7 ppg) and Sinclair Davis (4.1 ppg) have added some of the points that have been missing since the Pirates lost Zach Caparaso to a broken ankle earlier in the season. Southlake is playing around .500 ball, but they do have a lot of size, with several players a few inches over 6 feet.

Hudson At Eustis

Hudson caught a huge break in the district tournament when top-seeded Springstead lost its best player to an injury and he was not available in the district semifinals. Whatever the circumstances, the Cobras earned the right to play in the region quarterfinals. At 14-13, Hudson has had an up-and-down season, but guard Jarrod Branco has been consistent all season, scoring 21.3 points per game. Branco also has 3.8 steals per game. Chris Russo has 8.9 points per game, and Austin Gibbons has been a good outside option. Eustis has been the team the 4A-8 runner-up has had to play in recent years. Cristina Ledra

THURSDAY'S REGIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS

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