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Highlands Today

Streaks Run Past Seminoles

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring's T.J. Williams (23) goes strong to the basket as Bradenton Southeast's Stephen Suchy (00) looks on during Saturday night's game in the Blue Streak gym.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: December 3, 2007

SEBRING — With bodies racing up and down the court at a frenetic pace, Saturday night's boys basketball game between Sebring and Bradenton Southeast resembled a track meet.

But the uptempo action was to Sebring's liking, as its defense forced 20 turnovers and guard Chris Grubb scored a game-high 20 points, while Sam Robinson added 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Blue Streaks to a 58-46 win over the Seminoles.

"We had to bounce back with a win because we came up a little short against Hardee on Friday night," Robinson said. "I wasn't tired because I drank a whole bunch of Kool-Aid with sugar and that always gets me hyped up. "We cut down on our turnovers in the second half and we started attacking the basket to take advantage of our size.

"We're still working on different things, but we're starting to come together as a team."

The win improved the Class 4A Blue Streaks to 4-4, while the loss dropped the Class 5A Seminoles to 1-2.

Sebring took control in the early going as its pressure defense forced Southeast into numerous turnovers.

Grubb, who had four steals, scored 10 points and Jewell Campbell added four points as the Blue Streaks opened up an 18-13 lead heading into the second period.

"I knew Chris would score, but I didn't think he would score this much," Sebring coach Princeton Harris said. "He has worked so hard to improve his game and he is never satisfied."

Forward Jake Trussell scored six points, including a tip-in at the buzzer as Sebring took a 28-22 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was a see-saw affair that saw Grubb score seven points, including a 3-pointer and Robinson scored four of his points to give the Blue Streaks a 39-31 lead heading to the final eight minutes.

Southeast's Ryan Huggins, who scored a team-high 14 points, scored seven in the period to pull the Seminoles within 44-42 with 4:41 remaining to play.

Robinson answered with a pair of free throws and two inside baskets and Grubb buried a pair of free throws as the Blue Streaks opened up a 55-45 lead with under two minutes remaining.

Sebring, which overcame 20 turnovers of their own, went to a stall and ran the time out to seal the win.

"It wasn't pretty, but it was a win," Harris said. "We only had nine turnovers against Hardee and I praised the kids for that, and then we come out and make a bunch of mistakes tonight.

"It's a never-ending battle, but we played hard and once we get things figured out, we'll be in good shape."

Sebring hosts District 10 rival DeSoto on Tuesday night.

Sarasota Booker 46, Avon Park 37

AVON PARK — Ricky Taylor scored a team-high 10 points, but it wasn't enough to offset the absence of 6-foot-7 center Cleveland Nobles, as Avon Park lost to Sarasota Booker 46-37 in a Class 4A-District 10 boys basketball game on Saturday night.

"I'm pleased with our defense, but we never got into any kind of offensive flow," said Red Devil first-year coach Luther Clemons. "We missed Cleveland's presence in the middle, but we're going to keep working to get better."

Avon Park is back in action with an away game at Hardee on Tuesday night.

Wrestling

INVERNESS — Despite having only seven wrestlers, Avon Park finished sixth out of 17 teams in Saturday's Citrus Invitational wrestling meet.

Junior James Bland won the 160-pound weight class, while junior Kumasi Hatten placed second in the 171-pound division.

Junior Isuel Guzman placed second in the 215-pound weight class, while junior Jace Grimett came in third in the heavyweight division.

"I'm real pleased with our performance," said Red Devil wrestling coach Ed Brown. "The competition was tough with 26 state qualifiers competing.

"This was a good measuring stick for our veterans to see where they're at and it was good for our younger guys to see what they need to work on."

Avon Park is back in action with an away meet next Saturday in Okeechobee.

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