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Boys Basketball: Ridgewood Fights Slow Pace For Victory

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: January 23, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Friday night, Ridgewood forward Charles Jones stood patiently, listening to his coach field questions from reporters while on the stage inside the Ridgewood gym.

Considering the job Jones did during his team's 51-41 victory against visiting Land O' Lakes, the stage was the perfect setting for the junior.

Jones put on a show, scoring 12 of his game-high 16 points in the final period. Six of those points came from beyond the 3-point arc – both baskets put the Rams (19-2) ahead by 10 points. He was also successful on each of his four free three attempts in the final period.

Land O' Lakes coach Dave Puhalski called Jones the game's x-factor. Minutes later, it was Ridgewood coach Gary Anders heaping the praise on the player.

"He's a natural," Anders said. "He is a very gifted kid and I think he reacts to what's happening in front of him and doesn't plan ahead. He sees what's there and then does it and I think that makes him a very special player."

Jones was able to linger outside for open looks at the basket and at times, put the ball on the floor, driving to the basket. As for the open outside shots, Jones credited point guard Alvon Satram's penetration and outside dishes. Satram ended the night with 15 points.

Typically, teenagers and patience mix as well as sand and oil, but that was the philosophy Land O' Lakes used Friday night. The Gators (13-8) slowed down their offense considerably, passing the ball around until an open player emerged. Only then would they take a shot.

"That was certainly not something I had seen out of them this season," Anders said. "Obviously we played them one time and we've been in some tournaments where they've played, and that was a little bit different.

"They did a good job. And I was really proud of our defensive patience. When they were going to roll some time off the clock, our kids, I think, did a pretty good job."

The style worked well during certain points of the contest. The Gators caught fire with 45 seconds remaining in the second period. The team scored five of the half's final seven points. Land O' Lakes then opened the third period with baskets from Michael Cardwell, Sean Cooper and Quentin Bastian to cut Ridgewood's advantage to 24-21.

"That was our whole theme this week," Puhalski said. "We had all week off to practice and we were going to try and be patient. They did a good job. A couple times in the first half, made turnovers, took bad shots out of it. Against this team, every possession is real important.

"I think [Jones] did a great job. He was the x-factor tonight. He hits threes and just got important rebounds when they needed a possession. We just didn't have an answer for him."

The Gators found themselves just three points behind, 26-23, with one minute remaining in the third period, but a Satram jumper and a steal and bucket by Jones, pushed the advantage back up, 30-23.

Land O' Lakes' lone advantage in the game came in the opening seconds of the contests when Kevin Burnell's free throws gave the Gators a 2-0 lead.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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