Cougars Top Raiders 61-51

PLANT CITY - If the boys basketball teams from Plant City and Durant have their way, there will be at least three meetings between the rivals this season. Two are on the regular schedule.

The third would be a battle for the district championship. The prospect for such a showdown is probably as high this year as it ever has been, such is the promise of both squads.

On Monday night, Durant won the first battle, in an as-expected electric atmosphere at the Cougar gym. Durant prevailed 61-51. The Cougars got the early jump on Plant City in the District 6A-8 opener for each team.

"Good game, great crowd as always," Durant head coach Jeff Shotwell said. "Plant City is very talented and will have a great year."

The Cougars are pretty strong in the talent department, too, led by superb junior A.J. Garden. Though he struggled from the floor against Plant City, Garden scored 18 points and was averaging more than 20 per contest as Durant got off to a 2-1 start.

Garden had a big steal and dunk in the third quarter that got the crowd riled and put the Cougars ahead 40-37.

Although he didn't start on the varsity team as a freshman as Garden did, Durant sophomore Jeffrey Thomas is ready to emerge as another tremendous player for the Cougars.

Thomas, who played point guard for the junior varsity squad last year, has filled in for returning starter John Mitchell, who was a state cross country meet qualifier.

At first glance Thomas would not appear to be much of a threat.

"He stands at a towering 5 foot 3 inches tall. And can't possibly weigh more than 120 pounds. But he is worth the price of admission," Shotwell said.

Mitchell was unable to practice before Durant's first two games. Durant lost 70-55 to Newsome, getting outscored 19-4 in the second quarter, then defeated Armwood 66-61 as Garden scored 25 points and Thomas added 17.

In the Plant City game three Raiders finished in double figures scoring, paced by Channing Woodall's 13. It was the first meeting between Shotwell and new Plant City High coach Dale Chambers.

"I was very impressed with Coach Chambers and his kids. Channing Woodall is going to be a steal for some college coach next year," Shotwell said.

Durant did not have the services of starter Denaldi Bradley, who broke his hand against Armwood. He is expected to return soon.

The Cougars played East Bay and Newsome on Thursday and Friday, and visit Riverview on Monday night before a key meeting with defending district champ Lakeland at the Cougar gym Tuesday.