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Top Teams To Meet At Headmaster's Challenge

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Prep senior forward David Waller remembers his first time playing against Berkeley Prep in the annual Headmaster's Challenge. As a freshman on the varsity team, he scored the game-sealing free throws.

"Before then I've never played in front of that many people," Waller said.

The Headmaster's Challenge between Berkeley Prep and Tampa Prep tends to boil down to the final event of the day, the boys varsity basketball game. To win the challenge, each school competes at the middle school, freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels in basketball, soccer and wrestling.

Last year, Berkeley won the boys varsity basketball game 59-52 but Tampa Prep won the challenge.

For Waller and many involved, playing in the Headmaster's Challenge is the highlight of the season. The teams play at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tampa Prep.

"It's a huge rival," Tampa Prep junior guard Jake Haslam said. "You can't even think during the games it's so loud."

"It's always packed," Berkeley Prep senior guard Zak Kazanski said. "One of my favorite games from last year was our game against them."

Many of the players know each other through summer-league basketball. Some have even played on the same summer-league team. Leading up to the rivalry game, the players said it's not unusual to talk with each other.

"It's not trash-talking, more like friendly conversation," Kazanski said.

This year, the finale not only will feature an intense rivalry, but also two of the top teams in the state. The Buccaneers (14-1) are ranked No. 1 in the latest Class 3A state poll, while the Terrapins (12-1) are ranked No. 1 in the 2A poll.

"It'll be exciting and that'll add to the excitement," Berkeley Prep coach Bobby Reinhart said. "Berkeley Prep and Tampa Prep can be ranked last and it'll still be intense."

"It's a great environment for the kids," Tampa Prep coach Joe Fenlon said. "They don't get the opportunity every night to play in front of a crowd like that. Hopefully it will bring out the best in them."
Fenlon will also attempt to earn his 500th career coaching victory..

"I think he'll be really proud if I could win this game with him," said Fenlon's son, senior guard Conner Fenlon.

Waller leads Tampa Prep with 17.7 points and 10 rebounds per game, while junior guard/forward Johnathan Gray leads the Buccaneers with 17.1 points per game while shooting 37 percent from the 3-point line.

"The environment is always crazy," Gray said.

"Half the reason I play the game is for the competition and to play in front of a lot of fans," Waller said. "The adrenaline gets you going."

GAMES TO WATCH: Tonight, Chamberlain plays at Middleton in a key Class 5A-District 10 game, King plays at Newsome in a Class 5A-District 8 meeting and Durant travels to Plant City in a city rivalry and Class 6A-District 8 game.

Chamberlain (9-4) is coming off a 41-40 loss to Jefferson, while Middleton (12-4) is coming off a 63-49 win against Blake. King (9-3), which won the inaugural Alonso Holiday Classic over Christmas break, is coming off a 68-65 win against Newsome (11-3), which lost to Wharton on Wednesday 59-45. Plant City (6-4) lost the first meeting at Durant (8-7), 61-51.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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