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Sebring Win Over DeSoto Creates Logjam Atop District

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Sebring coach Princeton Harris (center) leads the break during a team timeout on Thursday.

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By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today

Published: January 26, 2008

SEBRING — The last time the Sebring boys basketball team faced DeSoto, the Blue Streaks drove home from Arcadia with a 23-point loss hanging over their heads.

During the rematch on Thursday night, however, there was plenty more hanging in the balance.
Sam Robinson scored 23 points and Javier Medina added 10 more as Sebring led the entire way and claimed at least a tie for the second seed for the Class 4A-District 10 tournament with a 57-42 victory over the Bulldogs.

The Streaks could find themselves in a three-way tie for first-place in district if Hardee defeated DeSoto on Friday night (results were not available as of press time). But whatever the case, Sebring took care of business when it needed to, winning crucial games over Palmetto on Tuesday (81-64) and DeSoto on Thursday to close out district play.

"Defense played a key role tonight," said Sebring coach Princeton Harris, who said he installed a new defensive scheme during Wednesday's practice. "Offensively, our guys have gotten a lot more confident. We're getting comfortable with our offensive sets, and we're looking at all the options instead of one or two."

The first option, however, remains Robinson, who added five steals and five rebounds to his line. The senior guard said extra work at practice with an extra man has helped him stay active without the ball, something he'll need as teams double team and play man defense to counter him.

"We'll put J.C. [Howard] on Sam in practice, because he's quick," Harris said. "We'll tell him, 'OK, for the next five minutes of practice, don't let Sam catch it.'

'Just make him work so he knows what to do.' "

The strategy, Robinson said, is working.

"J.C. is a little rabbit," he said. "He makes me better because it makes me work harder."

Sebring scored the game's first seven points and held DeSoto without a field goal for the first four minutes before the Bulldogs brought it within two points with a minute to play in the first. The Streaks went on a 6-0 run to close out the quarter to lead 16-10 heading into the second.

That's when Robinson and DeSoto's Tavarus Dennis started trading 3-point bombs, with Robinson hitting from both corners and pacing the Streaks to a 28-18 lead at the half.

Sebring would go up by as many as 16 in the third, but Dennis' switch to inside play brought them within eight (40-32) heading into the fourth. But Sebring's defense and strong play from Joe Young put the Bulldogs away and put the Streaks into position for a top seed in the district tournament, which begins the first week in February in Palmetto.

"Everyone knew this was going to be a tough game," said Young, who had eight points and led the Streaks with six rebounds. "We all stepped up big time. We kept our momentum through four quarters, and that's what we need to do."

Shay Shine led DeSoto with 15 points, while Medina led Sebring with five assists and Chris Grubb and T.J. Williams added six points each. Dennis finished with 14 for the Bulldogs.

"We know Sam is going to be double-teamed, but we still have some things we can do with him," Harris said. "We had guys who stepped up tonight, and if they want to take Sam out of the game, go ahead — we'll play you four-on-four."

The Streaks are back in action at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, when they travel to Lake Placid.

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