TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Streaks Run Past Wildcats

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Sebring's Jake Trussell (24) drives to the rim past the defense of Hardee's DeVonte Hooks on Friday during the semifinals of the Class 4A-District 10 tournament at DeSoto High School. Trussell led the Blue Streaks with 19 points in the 89-73 victory.

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: February 14, 2009

Updated:

ARCADIA - After the first quarter of Friday's Class 4A-District 10 semifinal game between Sebring and Hardee, Blue Streak Jake Trussell could tell the Wildcats had done their homework since the last time the rivals met.

"You could tell they studied up since they last time they played us because they pressured us early," said Trussell, who had 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead the Blue Streaks to Saturday's district championship final with a 89-73 victory over Hardee. "Their full-court pressure kind of froze us up in the first half, but we knew what we had to do.

"We just had to stop making mistakes."

The third-seeded Streaks did that and then some, winning the third quarter 28-13 and cruising to a chance at a district title and an automatic regional berth. Results of Saturday's game against top-seeded Palmetto were not available as of press time (visit highlandstoday.com/sports right now for result). See Monday's Highlands Today for complete coverage, including photos and reaction.

So were the Blue Streaks surprised that the No. 7-seeded Wildcats, who took down second-seeded Avon Park in the opening round, were less-than intimidated by Sebring's frenzied full-court pressure?

"Not really," said Sebring forward Tevin Toney, who scored 17 points, including six in the critical third period. "Our coaches warned us they'd stepped it up after beating Avon Park and that they were coming in with a lot of confidence.

"But we knew we were stronger and had the advantage on rebounds, so we just hit the boards."

The Streaks grabbed 26 offensive boards and took advantage of their height with a bevy of put-backs and a few dunks, including three from junior center Robert "Jewel" Campbell.

"I knew I needed to step up my game to help my team out," said Campbell, who had 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter. "They weren't worried that we'd blown them out before. They came out with a lot of intensity."

The Streaks' pressure defense did not faze the Wildcats, who took a 21-16 at the end of one after DeVonte Hicks hit a running floater and one from the line to close out the opening period.

Emotions were running high in the second, as Sebring took a 29-28 lead with 4:28 left to play in the half on two technical foul shots and carried a two-point lead into halftime after a flurry of activity in the last minute, including two huge blocks by Campbell, a Devin Clarke floater and a slap put-back by Toney gave Sebring a 41-39 lead at the half.

"We struggled trying to play our game in the first half," said senior JC Howard, who finished 15 points and four steals. "Coach told us we'd better play better."

The Streaks came out hot in the second half, getting six points each in the third from Toney, Howard and Trussell. The momentum was emphasized by a thunderous drive and dunk from Joe Young and a buzzer-beating jumper by Clarke to close out the quarter with a 69-54 Sebring lead. The Streaks pulled away from there, never letting the Wildcats get within single digits for the final eight minutes.

Hardee's Keshun Rivers led the 'Cats with 22 points, while Antjuan Jones added 17, JaJuan Hooks chipped in 12 and Hooks added nine.

"I have to give Hardee a lot of credit," said Sebring coach Princeton Harris. "They played with a lot of heart and gave us everything we could handle.

"They showed they could do it against Avon Park and we talked about that. We wanted to make them to force the ball up the floor and make mistakes."

Young and Clarke had eight points each for the Streaks, who will host or travel for a regional quarterfinal game on Tuesday. See Monday's Highlands Today for results of the championship game and the Blue Streaks' destination next week.

DISTRICT CHAMPS?

Visit highlandstoday.com/sports right now to see how the Sebring boys fared against Palmetto in the 4A-D10 finals. Then pick up Monday's Highlands Today for complete coverage, including photos and reaction.

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT