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Basketball: Clearwater Loses In Final

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Clearwater players react to falling short in the state 5A championship game against Gainesville in Lakeland.

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: March 7, 2009

Updated: 03/07/2009 12:43 am

LAKELAND - It was the premier boys basketball state championship scenario.

Gainesville and Clearwater entered Friday night's Class 5A state title game sharing the No. 1 ranking in the state poll.

Led by sharp-shooting and clutch free throws down the stretch, it was Gainesville that left The Lakeland Center victorious, capturing its first title since 2000 with a 53-46 win against Clearwater.

Clearwater trailed 40-27 entering the fourth quarter and went on an 11-0 run to close the gap 40-38 with 4:11 remaining. The Purple Hurricanes made eight of 10 free throws in the following three minutes, however, and Clearwater could only muster one field goal during Gainesville's run.

Junior forward Okaro White led Clearwater with 21 points and eight rebounds.

"I knew we weren't going to quit," first-year Clearwater coach Allen Carden said.

Junior forward T.J. Hall led Gainesville (29-3) with 19 points, including making five of seven 3-point attempts, while senior guard Greg Gantt added 19. The Hurricanes ended the game 10 of 19 from beyond the arc.

"It was a tough, hard-fought game," Carden said. "Gainesville shot the ball every well. I think five of those 3s were in transition."

The Tornadoes were four of 23 from 3-point range and were outrebounded 39-29.

"It was intense," Hall said. "It was a great team we played against tonight. They were probably the hardest team we've played this year."

After the game, Carden tried to remind his players of their accomplishments.

"We were district champs, regular-season champs, conference champs and regional champs," he said. "I couldn't be more proud. Gainesville was where we were last year, because we only lose three seniors. I told them 'don't be disappointed.' "

For one of Clearwater's seniors, it was easier said then done.

"Stinks to see it end this way," said senior guard Regan O'Rourke, who made a jumper with 1.1 seconds remaining in Wednesday's semifinals to put his team in the state championship. "I wanted us to win a state championship."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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