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Central, NCT Tournament Bound

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 28, 2008

A day after downing their Thanksgiving meals, both the Central Bears and Nature Coast Sharks will take the court this weekend in a pair of holiday tournaments.

The Bears, 1-0 on the season following a 59-30 victory over Hernando on Monday, travel to Tampa Prep for the SEBA (Southeast Basketball Academy) Thanksgiving Day Classic.

Meanwhile the Sharks, also 1-0 after beating Kissimmee Christian Academy Tuesday night, make the short trip to River Ridge for the Beef 'O' Brady's Thanksgiving Tournament.

Central plays Orlando Christian Prep, the defending Class 1A state champion, today at 4 p.m. Nature Coast tangles with Clearwater Central Catholic at 6 p.m.

Both teams will have another game tomorrow, with the Bears taking on St. Pete Catholic at 1 p.m. The Sharks' opponent and game time will depend on the results of Friday's action.

CHS: tough competition

In Eric Hayes' two seasons as head coach at Central he has never shied away from putting his team in top-notch tournaments, feeling his players can learn from the rugged competition.

The Tampa native, who played four years at Tampa Catholic, has often used his hometown connections to get the Bears into exclusive events.

Two years ago Central played in this same tournament, losing soundly to Brandon and Tampa-Middleton. Hayes has higher expectations this time around.

"If we go down there and drop two, I won't be pleased," Hayes said. "It'll give us a boost, a kick start to get us to the next point. We go right into district play. It'd be nice to get on a three-game winning streak. And it might send a message out to a couple teams that Central can play a little bit."

The Bears have their work cut out for them. Certainly Orlando Christian, though a small school, will provide a stout test for 5A Central.

St. Pete Catholic, a 3A team, has advanced to regionals eight straight seasons, 10 out of the last 11 and made at least the state semifinals from 2004-2006.

"I want to see just how we react in situations," Hayes said. "A couple years ago when we got in these situations we were kind of in awe. We shouldn't be afraid or in awe of anyone.

"We're expecting to go out and play well. I'm looking for us to go out and compete and it'll give us a gauge of what we need to do."

NCT: chemistry exam
Nature Coast ended up in the River Ridge tournament because of Hayes' predecessor at Central, John Sedlack.

Dave Pisarcik, the Shark head coach, has maintained a friendship with Sedlack, who now coaches at River Ridge, and likes to take advantage of any opportunity to pick the brain of the veteran mentor.

The four-team tournament also includes St. Pete-Northside Christian, who will play River Ridge today at 7:30 p.m. The losers of today's contest will play at 6 p.m. tomorrow, while the winners play at 7:30 p.m.

"I think we're all around the same," Pisarcik said. "We might go 0-2; we might go 2-0. We want to win that tournament. It sets the stage for the coming year."

At this point so early in the season, Pisarcik is primarily looking for one thing: chemistry.

"We just got some of our athletes back from football," Pisarcik said. "I want to see them gel and play together. We hope to use this tournament to get guys on the same page."

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: SEBA Thanksgiving Day Classic

WHO: Bayshore Christian, Brandon, Central, Durant, Hahnville (La.), Lennard, Oldsmar Christian, Orlando Christian Prep, Ridgewood, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Catholic and Tampa Prep.

WHEN: Nov. 28-29

WHERE: Tampa Prep.

FORMAT: Two-day shootout.

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 275 to downtown Tampa (exit 44). From Ashley Drive, turn right on West Tyler Street. Bear right on West Cass Street. The school is located at 727 W. Cass St.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Beef 'O' Brady's Thanksgiving Tournament
WHO: Clearwater Central Catholic, Nature Coast, St. Pete-Northside Christian and River Ridge.

WHEN: Nov. 28-29

WHERE: River Ridge High.

FORMAT: Two-day tournament, winners and losers of Friday's games play one another on Saturday.

DIRECTIONS: Heading west on State Road 52, turn left on Moon Lake Road. Continue on Decubellis Road, turn left on Town Center Road. The school is located at 11646 Town Center Road.

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

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