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Nohra Won't Look Ahead

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By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 5, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - When Gulf handed Wesley Chapel its first road loss of the season - and just its second loss overall - on Jan. 29, Wildcats coach Karim Nohra committed a cardinal sin of sorts for coaches.

Usually, coaches preach, scream and sometimes scold players for looking past an opponent. But this time, it was Nohra who was guilty of that.

He said he won't do it again.

The host Buccaneers played inspired basketball, and the Wildcats couldn't match it. Nohra blames himself.

"Our press wasn't working all night long, to be honest you," Nohra said after the game. "Gulf wanted it; we were nonchalant. You saw how they whooped and hollered. It was like they won the state tournament.

"We didn't want it as bad. Any time that happens you will walk into a hornet's nest and you will lose. Part of this was my fault. I told the Wildcats flat out, I'll be dead honest, my mind was straight up looking ahead at the playoff picture and what I need to do to win the dadgum playoff. I told them, honestly, that is where my head was, and I apologized to them."

Even Nohra knows he didn't practice what coaches preach.

"I shouldn't be doing that," he said. "I should be coaching the game that we are playing."

Apparently, Nohra quickly learned from his mistake. Less than 24 hours later, the Wildcats wrapped up the regular season with a 42-point victory.

POSTSEASON ARRIVES: District basketball continues, with a couple of small schools hoping for some help to secure a spot in regional play.

In Class 2A-District 9, Bishop McLaughlin will have to fight recent history to reach next week's regional playoffs.

The Hurricanes (3-13) play Tampa Prep (12-9), which beat the Hurricanes in both meetings this season, by a combined 45 points.

A Bishop McLaughlin victory could set up a Friday meeting against Indian Rocks Christian, which finished the regular season with a 20-4 record.

In Class 1A-District 11, the race is a bit more of a toss-up, as none of the four district teams finished with a winning record. Academy at the Lakes finished tied for second with Citrus Park Christian and will face Citrus Park in the semifinals.

A victory by Academy of the Lakes likely sets up a district title game against Lakeside Christian.

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