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Brandon Steals Victory

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Ridgewood was set to run a play that had worked many times without incident.

But the long pass across the top of the key was intercepted by Brandon's Marcus Morrison, and he sealed the win with a dunk as time expired to give the Eagles (24-4) a 61-57 victory in the Class 5A-Region 2 semifinals.

"I just stepped back and watched," Morrison said. "I saw them set the screen and he just threw it up and I had to get it. It was all or nothing."

In a game in which neither team could pull away, the final possessions held all the weight. The contest was mostly a battle of big men, but the teams were so evenly matched it was a deadlock the whole way.

Brandon's A.J. Sicignano sank two free throws to give the Eagles a 59-57 lead with 13.2 seconds left.

Ridgewood called a timeout with 9.7 seconds left to set up a play, which was supposed to get Alvin Satram the ball for a shot outside or inside, whichever Brandon's defense gave him. But Morrison made sure the ball never reached Satram's hands.

"We actually thought that they would go baseline and then try to go inside to their big kid," Brandon coach Mark Hermann said. "They kind of went outside instead of going inside, but Marcus did a great job. I actually told Marcus to stay in the key and be ready to help anywhere, and he did."

Morrison finished the game with 13 points. Tarron Stewart led Brandon with 20.

The win was another step toward redemption for an Eagles team that didn't make it out of the district tournament last season.

"They're hungry," Hermann said. "They worked hard for this. They're finally reaping the rewards from all the hard work they put in."

For Ridgewood (24-4), the loss was a disappointing end to a strong season, and the Rams lost in the same round as last season with almost the same team.

"In a game like this, it's the team that makes the fewest mistakes that's going to win, and we made mistakes at crucial times and that hurt us," Ridgewood coach Gary Anders said.

Reporter Cristina Ledra can be reached at (813) 948-4203 or cledra@tampatrib.com.

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