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Calvary Surprises Tampa Prep

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By CHRIS ERRINGTON, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 20, 2008

TAMPA - Who knew the key to defeating Tampa Prep was unveiled 30 years ago? Luckily for Calvary Christian, Coach Dave Bintz was paying attention.

Three times this season Calvary Christian played, and lost, to the Terrapins. Thanks to a staple from Hall of Fame North Carolina coach Dean Smith, a fourth loss didn't occur during Tuesday night's Class 2A-Region 3 semifinals.

Installing Smith's four-corners offense, in which the Warriors spread the floor, bled the clock and allowed their trio of guards to go one-on-one for layups or inside passes that led to dunks by center Christian N'dango, Calvary Christian shocked Tampa Prep 46-37.

"We knew we couldn't run with them in the first half, so I took what I learned from watching Dean Smith back in 1978 when he went to the four corners," Bintz said. "To win, we knew we had to protect the basketball and spread them out.

"We executed the game plan the best we could."

A season after reaching the Final Four in Class 1A, Calvary Christian (20-9) will travel to Community School in Naples for the regional final.

Montana Brown, who led all Warriors with 14 points, Emanuel Delgado (9 points) and Marcus Quinones (8 points) all played pivotal roles handling the ball. Time and again, the trio would take turns attempting dribble drives to the basket. If the lane was open, the guard would go in for a layup or dish to N'dango, who finished with 12 points - 10 on uncontested dunks. If it wasn't, the Warriors would just pull the ball back out and start all over.

The tactic helped Calvary Christian shoot 50 percent from the field (14-for-28) and attempt 24 free throws - making 17, including all eight of its attempts during the final 1:23. Conversely, Tampa Prep (23-3) was harried into 15 of 34 shooting (44 percent) and went to the line just six times.

The Warriors also held a dominating 22-10 edge in rebounds.

"It's frustrating, because we're used to playing in the 70s," Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon said. "It was an incredible coaching decision. They really exploited our Achilles' Heel.

"It's more of a mental war. Anytime you lose focus, you give up a basket or are putting them on the free-throw line."

Calvary Christian was just as dominant defensively, holding Tampa Prep star David Waller to just 11 points before he fouled out with 3:39 remaining. Waller had 29 points and 17 rebounds in a 67-45 district-final win against the Warriors in their last meeting.

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