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Postseason Set To Get Going

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: February 7, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - The regular season has drawn to a successful closure for some in Pasco County and if they continue, the postseason awaits.

There are a handful of teams which are practically shoo-ins for regional competition - i.e. Ridgewood, Land O' Lakes and Hudson. Then there are the teams who pull off the grand surprise. Will there be any this season? Only time will tell.

HURRY UP AND WAIT: Nothing says the postseason is here like the week off Ridgewood will have from its final regular-season game (Friday night at Gulf) until it touches the court against either Wesley Chapel or River Ridge on Friday.

Coach Gary Anders isn't exactly fond of the extended time off and will switch things up to interrupt the monotony. He typically reverts to working on the fundamentals of the game with his players. Making the layoff a tad easier is the fact his team is a very experienced one.

"Having an experienced team and having good senior leadership, I can talk to them," Anders said. "That's a nice luxury when you can sit down and talk to those kids man-to-man, one-on-one and they get what you're talking about."

STILL LEARNING: Although holding just an 8-16 record entering Friday night's contest against River Ridge, Wiregrass Ranch has been close in many of those games. Wesley Chapel found out Tuesday night when the Bulls won, 62-57, arguably their biggest win of the season. Maybe even for the program.

Coach Jeremy Calzone is witnessing a transformation in the group.

"I still think we're leaning how to win, to be honest with you," said Calzone, who admitted he wasn't shocked at the team's win against Wesley Chapel. "We've lost for so many years and taken a beating a couple of times."

Helping in that learning curve is center Eric Williams, who is fourth in the state, according to MaxPreps.com, in blocks. Then there's the help from sophomores Tanner Carey and James Tringali. Allen Thomas, one of just two seniors on the team, has been a steady hand at point guard.

WELCOME: Gulf's Kyle Scianna made his way into the 1,000-point club when he knocked down that milestone in a tight 74-70 loss against Hudson on Jan. 23. The Buccaneers' leading scorer was honored with the basketball the following week prior to their home game against the Sunlake Seahawks.

THE HITS CONTINUE: Hudson continues to experience program firsts. Monday, the Cobras beat Mitchell for the first time, and Thursday night, Wesley Chapel was added to the list. Hudson also sits in third place in the Sunshine Athletic Conference standings, behind Ridgewood and Land O' Lakes. It's Hudson highest position since the SAC was assembled in 1991.

What makes Hudson's level of success more impressive is the fact Coach Jason Vetter had to jettison four players in December due to in-school infractions. He never took into account what his team's record would be in light of the discipline. Quite frankly, he didn't care.

"For me, I have to be able to go to bed at night knowing I'm putting a group of players out there that I can be proud of," Vetter said. "You have to be able to trust kids. To me, if you can't trust somebody, there's no relationship. Kids are going to make mistakes, but when they break trusts, there's no relationship."

SCHEDULE

Class 1A-District 11

WHERE: Lakeside Christian, 1897 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater

PARTICIPANTS: Canterbury (1), Citrus Park Christian (2), Academy at the Lakes (3), Carrollwood Day (4), Lakeside Christian (5)

GAMES: 4 vs. 5, Tuesday, 5 p.m.; 2 vs. 3, Friday, 5 p.m.; 1 vs. 4/5 winner, Friday, 7 p.m.; Feb. 14, 7 p.m., championship

Class 2A-District 9

WHERE: Bishop McLaughlin, 13651 Hays Road, Spring Hill

PARTICIPANTS: Tampa Prep (1), Indian Rocks Christian (2), Bishop McLaughlin (3), Calvary Christian (4)

GAMES: 2 vs. 3, Friday, 6 p.m.; 1 vs. 4, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., championship

Class 4A-District 8

WHERE: Sunlake, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O' Lakes

PARTICIPANTS: Springstead (1), Hudson (2), Zephyrhills (3), Nature Coast (4), Sunlake (5), Wiregrass Ranch (6), Gulf (7), Hernando (8), Pasco (9)

GAMES: 8 vs. 9, Monday, 7 p.m.; 4 vs. 5, Tuesday, 6 p.m.; 1 vs. 8/9 winner, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; 3 vs. 6, Wednesday, 6 p.m.; 2 vs. 7, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; semifinals: Friday, 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 14, 7 p.m., championship

Class 5A-District 7

WHERE: Land O' Lakes, 20325 Gator Lane, Land O' Lakes

PARTICIPANTS: Ridgewood (1), Land O' Lakes (2), Central (3), Wesley Chapel (4), River Ridge (5)

GAMES: 4 vs. 5, Tuesday, 7 p.m.; 2 vs. 3, Friday, 7:45 p.m.; 1 vs. 4/5 winner, Friday, 6 p.m.; Feb. 14, 7 p.m., championship

Class 6A-District 7

WHERE: Mitchell, 2323 Little Road, New Port Richey

PARTICIPANTS: Sickles (1), St. Petersburg (2), Countryside (3), Mitchell (4), Gaither (5), Alonso (6)

GAMES: 3 vs. 6, Wednesday, 6 p.m.; 4 vs. 5, Wednesday, 8 p.m.; 2 vs. 3/6 winner, Friday, 6 p.m.; 1 vs. 4/5 winner, Friday, 8 p.m.; Feb. 14, 7 p.m., championship

Coaches who want to add their team's information can submit their entries to Eddie Daniels by calling (813) 948-4214 or e-mailing edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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