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Central Back For Moore

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: December 27, 2008

Central Head Coach Eric Hayes always tries to find premiere tournaments for his team to participate in during the course of the season.

One he has honed in on is the Jim Clark Hornet Holiday Classic at Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic. The Bears will take part in the three-day event for the second year in a row.

Central takes on Miami-Booker T. Washington at 1:30 p.m. today and will go from there Monday and Tuesday, depending on the results.

The rest of the eight-team field includes Homestead, Pleasure Ridge (Ky.), Harmony, Lake Howell, Orlando-Boone and host Bishop Moore.

Last season the Bears when 1-2 in this tournament, losing to Bishop Moore and Boone while defeating Ben Lippen from South Carolina.

"The tournament is very hospitable," Hayes said. "Bishop Moore did a very good job of putting on the tournament. It gives our kids a chance to get away from Spring Hill/Brooksville. It's a chance to play basketball after the holidays, build camaraderie so we can make a late-season push."

Central comes in 2-7 officially, though 4-5 on the court. The Bears forfeited two early-season wins because of an ineligible player.

They are once again led by Darryn Frazier, Hernando County's two-time scoring champion. The senior guard is on top this season, as well, averaging 22.6 points per game.

"I think we're behind where I'd like us to be," Hayes said. "We've played well in spurts. We're not too consistent. But I'm pleased with where we are. We're doing things we haven't been doing before, but I guess I expect a little bit more."

What does the third-year headman expect out of this event? He feels the field could be more competitive than last year.

"I'd like to see us of course win it," Hayes said. "But my expectations are to win more games than we lose.

"Defensively, what I preach and have been preaching from day one, if we stop teams from scoring lots of points and getting easy baskets, we can win games. And take care of the ball, which also helps."

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Jim Clark Hornet Holiday Classic

WHO: Orlando-Bishop Moore, Orlando-Boone, Miami-Booker T. Washington, Central, Harmony, Homestead, Lake Howell and Pleasure Ridge (Ky.).

WHEN: Dec. 27, 29-30.

WHERE: Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic.

FORMAT: 8-team bracket format with three guaranteed games for each team.

DIRECTIONS: Take State Road 50 east to Orlando. Turn left on North John Young Parkway. Turn right on Silver Star Road. Turn left on North Rio Grande Avenue. Bear right on Maury Road. Turn left on Edgewater Drive. The school is located at 3901 Edgewater Dr.

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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