Wharton's boys basketball team cannot say it won pretty during a 45-31 victory against Brandon.
What the Wildcats (26-1) can say is they did enough to claim the Class 6A-District 8 championship. It is Wharton's first district title since the 2006-07 season.
"I'd rather for us to win ugly than to lose pretty," Wharton coach Tommy Tonelli said.
Wharton's victory was not repulsive, but the Wildcats definitely struggled offensively against Brandon (11-13).
The Wildcats led 24-12 at halftime and scored only five points in the third quarter. While Wharton's scoring output was low, Brandon matched its opponent's scoring output with five points.
However, Wharton's Damian Dixon scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Wharton's Xavier Owens scored a game-high 15 points and C.J. McGill added 10.
Brandon knocked off Plant in the district semifinals, but Eagles coach Allie Turley said his team struggled to play with the same intensity.
"We missed 12 shots in the first half and eight of them were layups," Turley said.
"In the first half we were a little timid. I'd say nerves got the best of us. It was just one of those nights when nothing was going in."
Class 1A-9
SEFFNER - Seffner Christian coach Roger Duncan called it the biggest win in program history.
Saturday, the Crusaders upset top-seeded and No. 3 state-ranked Bradenton Christian, 71-66, to win the Class 1A-District 9 title.
Duncan said his team was 0-9 all-time against Bradenton Christian, a team that reached the 1A final four last season.
Steven Cunningham led the Crusaders with 24 points and Devin Paularinne added 22, including consecutive 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Nick Williams
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