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Hernando Today

HCA stymied by Seven Rivers again

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Published: December 16, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando Christian Academy has solved every team on its early season schedule, except one.

Defending Class 1A, District 6 champion Seven Rivers Christian defeated the Lions in their season opener Nov. 27 in Lecanto, 75-48.

The Warriors repeated that feat Thursday night at The Lions' Den, downing host HCA, 70-54.

"We played in spurts and I think that the biggest thing that hurt us was they had many more possessions than we did," HCA Head Coach Bill Brooks said. "We kind of self-destructed with the ball at times.

"I think if we play and control the game situation as things happen, I think we can play with this team."

Two rallies
Seven Rivers (6-1 overall, 6-0 1A-6) opened up a 17-11 advantage after one period, but HCA (4-2 overall, 3-2 1A-6) went on a 7-0 run to start the second quarter.

Marti George hit 1-of-2 technical foul free throws when it was discovered the Warriors had mislabeled a player's number in the scorebook.

Then George and Derek Wilson knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, making it 18-17 Lions with less than seven minutes to go in the half.

Derek Labahn's basket at the 5:29 mark put Seven Rivers back in front, 20-18. Keaton Wahl's three-point play with 2:15 on the clock increased that lead to double digits, 32-21.

At the intermission, the Warriors led 39-24 as Tucker Cortese nailed two free throws with no time left.
HCA scored the first nine points of the third quarter to get within 39-33. Josh Westfall's put back made it 41-37, but Seven Rivers finished up the period on an 11-3 run to take a 52-40 edge.

"We talked at halftime about making adjustments on what we can do when we have the ball," Brooks said. "Then in the fourth quarter, we turned the ball over when we shouldn't have."

The Warriors cruised in the fourth quarter and received great play throughout the game from Tyler Commons, who had 28 points and converted 9-of-10 free throws. He added 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Labahn scored 12 points and hauled in seven rebounds. Jonathan Woods chipped in 10 points, and Cortese nine with seven steals.

"Overall I didn't think we played very well," Seven Rivers Head Coach Jim Ervin said. "I don't want to take anything from Hernando Christian. I thought they played very well. We just didn't shoot the ball very well.

"Basically we came down to start the third quarter with four consecutive turnovers. I wasn't concerned. That's the way we play the game. We'll give up 10-12 points and then score 25. We press the ball. It's just a matter of time before it wears on the opposing team."

George, the only Lion averaging double figures in scoring thus far, led the team with 18 points.
Westfall had nine along with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Clay Kessler scored eight and added five rebounds.

"I think we're developing into a good basketball team," Brooks said. "We've just got to stay solid for four quarters and not play in spurts."

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