Cougars look strong on the court

Durant High entered the second half of the basketball season with confidence, backed by a dramatic victory in the Jesuit Invitational before Christmas.

The Cougar boys went 2-0 in the event to up their mark to 10-1 for the season. Durant easily dispatched familiar foe Armwood before taking out the host Tigers 48-47 in the finals. Sean McChord converted on a rebound in the final minute right after Jesuit had scored on a three-point play for the lead.

Jeffrey Thomas earned tourney MVP honors. He led Durant with 15 points in the Dec. 22 championship game. Thomas had 14 points in the semifinals, a 73-42 win over Armwood in a game where the Cougars held a 25-6 fourth-quarter scoring advantage.

Andre Nation poured in 26 points in that semifinal contest.

Next order of business for Durant is to attempt a second perfect sweep through the district schedule. In the Cougars' first six games of District 5A-7 play they went 6-0, but they must play each of the teams again. Tonight the Cougars are at Riverview and on Friday they host East Bay.

Plant City didn't win its tournament, but it can be argued the Raiders had just as good of a showing. They beat two quality opponents, sandwiched around a defeat to one of the best in the state at the Bright House Invitational.

The loss was to host Clearwater, which is led by Florida State University signee Okaro White and is a legitimate state title contender.

On Dec. 22 the Raiders beat Gibbs for third place, topping the Gladiators 66-58. Plant City did its damage from the free-throw line, going 27-of-37 while Gibbs only managed eight attempts.

Chris Smith, who led Plant City with 20 points, was 12-of-16 at the line. Duhuel Sanchez came off the bench to contribute 16 points. Brown Peterson scored 15 while making three three-pointers.

Before that the Raiders lost a semifinal to Clearwater 85-51, as the Tornadoes sank eight three-pointers in the first half. Clearwater went on to another rout, this time of Wiregrass Ranch, in the finals, 79-40.

Plant City opened its run at the tourney by beating Mitchell 55-44. The Mustangs brought a 5-2 record into the contest. Smith had 18 points and Peterson added 14.

With the 2-1 performance Plant City brought a 9-3 record into the second half of the season. Tonight the Raiders host East Bay and on Friday they head to Armwood.