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Branco Takes Blame For Team

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: January 23, 2009

HUDSON - There likely are no questions concerning the leadership of Hudson G Jarrod Branco, but just in case anyone had doubts, here's evidence of his level of guidance.

Prior to Hudson's 61-55 victory against district foe Nature Coast, Cobras coach Jason Vetter talked about how the team tends to lose focus during contests. Against Nature Coast, it happened again, but to a much lower degree.

Following the game, Branco, one of the team's two senior captains, said the team is playing at 90 percent of its potential and placed the blame on his shoulders.

"Actually, I think it starts with me," Branco said after collecting 23 points against the Sharks, leading all scorers. "I lose focus because I know they can do better and they're not showing it, but I know they can do better. I start to lose my focus yelling at them, which is my fault. And they react to what their leader's doing, so I'd say it's my fault."

That level of accountability ought to be infectious.

Entering Thursday night's game against Class 4A-District 8 leader Springstead, the Cobras had won six consecutive games. Hudson (12-6) was just behind the Eagles (18-0) in second place.

HERE WE GO AGAIN? The first time Land O' Lakes met Ridgewood this season, the Rams won 91-60. The rematch is tonight at 7 at Ridgewood.

Land O' Lakes coach Dave Puhalski understands his team is facing a tall task, but he does not want a repeat of that mid-December meeting.

"Not only is it tough guarding Lukas Poderis, but when Jacob Rauh shoots the lights out against us and Alvin Satram had 22, when you have an inside-outside game, it's doubly tough.

"It's one thing to cover a big guy down low and they don't have any other options, but they have so many other options. And Bryan Jones, he just cleans up on the boards and picks up whatever they miss. He's got a good team. Ridgewood coach Gary Anders has the weapons and he coaches well and the kids play well together."

A sort of feather in Land O' Lakes cap came at the beginning of January when the Gators hosted Oldsmar Christian. Land O' Lakes lost, 65-56, but had the game knotted at 52 with less than three minutes remaining. Ridgewood lost to Oldsmar Christian, 71-60 in November.

Ironically, one year and five days ago, Anders collected career win No. 500 - against Land O' Lakes.

Land O' Lakes will rely on G Sean Cooper (his offense has come along), PG Denzell Gordon (who is averaging less than two turnovers a game and is making good decisions) and G Kevin Burnell.

SWIRLING WINDS: Bishop McLaughlin interim coach Les Parker had no problem with stepping in for Greg O'Connell, who resigned as the Hurricanes' coach Jan. 2. In fact, the situation - as far as the X's and O's were concerned - seems to have been a blessing in disguise.

"Coach O'Connell was a terrific coach, X's and O's, I can tell you that," Parker said following Bishop McLaughlin's 53-14 loss to Tampa Prep. "I can tell when I took over the team, they knew what they were doing. He did a good job with X's and O's. From that standpoint, I've got to be a little familiar with what he was doing with his system because I'm not changing all of that stuff. It's not fair to the kids."

The transition hasn't been all roses. Instead of running a system he is used to and adding his own aspects to the team, Parker is instead molding his coaching around what's already in place - a tough task for any coach at any level.

"I don't think it's a difficult situation at all, other than the coaching standpoint," Parker said. "Anytime you take over a club in the middle of the season, from a coach's standpoint, that's tough because you haven't put your rules into effect and your situations into effect, your offense into effect, your numbering system into effect.

"All those things you look to do, those little nuances every coach likes to do. Every coach is different."

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

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