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Hernando Today

Streak busters!

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Published: January 17, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - From any angle, Springstead High walked into the Nature Coast Technical gym Friday night on a hot streak. The Eagles entered winners of 14 straight overall.

Additionally, the two-time defending Class 4A, District 8 champs had captured 32 straight in district play; including the past two district tournaments.

Plus the three-time defending Hernando County Athletic Conference champs had won 12 consecutive county contests, and 23-of-24 against Central, Hernando and Nature Coast.

The last time Springstead tasted defeat in a 4A-8 or HCAC match-up: Jan. 24, 2006, a 59-57 loss at Nature Coast.

Flash forward nearly two full years later. The Eagles and Sharks met once more in front of a near capacity crowd, in what has become the county's fiercest hoops rivalry.

Despite that '06 triumph, Nature Coast carried a 1-7 mark in this series dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

That included three losses last season, twice in the regular season (one in overtime) and once in the 4A-8 title game on a buzzer-beater.

But this time, the script changed. Finally, the Sharks broke through and ended all the streaks, triumphing 59-47.

"They're known in Hernando County to be a basketball school," Nature Coast Head David Pisarcik said. "For us to knock them off after a 14-game winning streak, it's a big win for us.

"Guys knew how big this game was. Guys came in; they were focused. They're a scrappy team, long athletic. They get their hands on things. We knew that. We had to keep our poise."
Foul trouble for Roberson
Nature Coast (12-5 overall, 7-4 4A-8, 3-1 HCAC) came in with a leg up already, as Springstead (15-2 overall, 11-1 4A-8, 4-1 HCAC) had to go without leading scorer and point guard Dante Valentine, serving a one-week suspension for the two technical fouls he received against Central one week earlier.

Already down one big playmaker, the Eagles took another serious blow when do-everything-forward Dominic Roberson battled foul trouble all night long.

Mike Adams knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter, and Michael Fields drained another from beyond the arc to open up a 17-6 advantage.

Roberson scored five in the second, helping Springstead rally back. However, he went to the bench with 2:35 to go in the half after picking up his third foul, with the score 17-15.

Addison O'Neil cut it to one on a free throw, yet the Sharks broke out of an offensive malaise on Reshad Terry's lay-up and a lay-in by Joe Silvestri, pushing the lead back to five. They led 26-19 at halftime.

The fourth foul on Roberson came at 5:34 in the third quarter. Adams immediately followed up with another trey, 31-25.

Still the Eagles wouldn't go away, tying it at 33 on a three-point play by O'Neil and taking a 36-35 edge when Nehemiah Mason drilled a three.

P.J. Orgass' offensive put back put Nature Coast back in front 10 seconds later. Silvestri's three late in the period made it 42-37 heading into the fourth.

At 6:34, Roberson fouled out, his team down 42-39. Springstead never recovered, Orgass and Bryant Pent upping the Shark three-point total to seven and the score to 49-41.

Seniors step up

Roberson still paced the Eagles with 13 points, along with four steals, though only three rebounds, well below his season average of 8.1.

Credit Terry, a senior inserted into the starting line-up to counter Roberson. He ended up with a game-high 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

"Coach told me tonight it was my game to rebound," Terry said. "That's what I'm in there to do, the dirty work. Coach believed in me. I'm thankful for that."

Silvestri, who leads the Sharks in scoring averaging over 16 points per game, managed only eight in this one, but showed why his coaches and teammates rave about his unselfish, all-around play with nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

Twice down the stretch the senior made a fantastic pass to a teammate for an easy basket as Nature Coast pulled away.

"This is the first time I've actually been on a team where we've beaten Springstead," Silvestri said. "The year we won I was up at a funeral for my grandmother. They're a great team. They push us.

"My team knows if I'm struggling, I'm not going to force my shot. I'm supposed to be the leader, that's what I'm going to do. I'll score zero points if we win by 20. I'm out there to do anything to help the team win."

Adams added 13 points, Fields 10 and Orgass nine off the bench.

O'Neil tallied 10 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Eagles. Nehemiah Mason, averaging 17.3 points per game, was held to nine. He chipped in four steals.

"We've got to play disciplined team offense," Springstead Head Coach Pat Kelly said. "When they rolled over into man (defense) we didn't do that. There's no excuse for street ball. I'm not about that; I've never been about that. I'll work tomorrow on that.

"...We played with who we had. They played hard and they won. There's a good chance these teams will play again. I look forward to the challenge."

That would have to take place in the 4A-8 Tournament. The Eagles are still very much in control of the district's top seed, while the Sharks are battling for position with several other squads.

If these two clubs do meet again, Nature Coast has at least served notice that it can compete.

"They're not dominating us no more," Silvestri said. "Now we've put doubt in the minds of the people that didn't have faith in us."

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