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Hernando Today

'We Meet Again'

4A-II BOYS BASKETBALL

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: February 22, 2009

At 28-0, Springstead High has gone a long time without that losing feeling. The Eagles have gone 379 days to be exact, but suffice to say they haven't forgotten the agony of defeat.

The last time it happened: Feb. 8, 2008, in the semifinals of last season's Class 4A, District 8 Tournament at Pasco High.

That night, Hudson High upset the top-seeded and two-time defending district champion Eagles, 48-44, and perhaps spurred Springstead on to its incredible 2008-09 campaign.

On Tuesday night at 7 p.m., over a year since the Cobras sent the Eagles packing for the spring, these two teams will meet again in a do-or-die setting, a Class 4A, Region II semifinal at Springstead.

"All we have to do is think back," Springstead Head Coach Pat Kelly said. "That still kind of sticks with us, that this team is our rival. I don't think a whole lot of things need to be said to get our kids up for this game."

Slam dunk?

While Hudson (20-8) got the better of Springstead at the end of last season, the 2008-09 campaign has thus far been a much different story.

These two clubs faced twice in regular-season district play, with the Eagles winning by 29 (78-49) at home and 17 (71-54) on the road.

In the district tournament final at Sunlake High last Saturday, Springstead triumphed again, 52-39, though that one was actually tied at halftime, 24-all.

"If the tempo is the same as last time, we're fine," Hudson Head Coach Jason Vetter said. "We only turned it over 10 times, we just couldn't make shots.

"…I have great respect for Pat and their players and he has great respect for me and my players. But there's no doubt the players don't like each other."

So even though on paper this seems like a slam dunk trip to Saturday's regional final for the ninth-ranked Eagles, this one should have plenty of intrigue and a sizable crowd considering the short distance between schools.

While Springstead downed Kissimmee-Poinciana, 71-57, in Thursday's quarterfinal, Hudson pulled off a dramatic, come-from-behind 64-62 victory at Groveland-South Lake.

Those two performances backed up Kelly's assertion that 4A-8 was stronger and provided a stiffer test than commonly believed.

"Hudson is a great team," Kelly said. "I've been saying that all along. The point I've been making throughout is that some of these teams in our district are tough. Hudson has shown they're definitely a tough team. They're a worthy opponent that we give the utmost respect to."

"I think there's a little something to that (the district being weak)," Vetter said. "But that doesn't mean we're not two great teams. I think the top of the district is very good and I know whoever wins this game will have a hell of a shot at going to the Final Four."

Guards key

Vetter indicated that his squad must try to control tempo, keeping the pace slow in an attempt to negate Springstead's speed and athleticism.

The Cobras rely heavily on the perimeter play of guards Jarrod Branco (19.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.9 steals per game) and Chris Russo (15.1 points, 1.4 steals).

Russo, who made 62 three-pointers going into the South Lake game, played the hero Thursday night knocking down the go-ahead trey with 17 seconds left. He had 23 points overall, 10 in the fourth quarter.

"We go as they go," Vetter said of his guards. "Last year we were totally a half-court team, play tough defense and hope Jarrod scores enough.

"This year I think we can play more styles. We've won games in the 70s; we've won games in 30s. The funny thing is I don't know what type of team we are. We just find ways to win. That's the one thing about our kids, they play hard and battle every night."

Kelly expects a battle on Tuesday, when both teams will attempt to advance to a regional final for the first time in school history.

"We've just got to come out and play hard, come to play," Kelly said. "We realize they're going to be up for this game. These games bring different twists and turns and we tell our kids to play through that and stay focused on the task at hand.

"…It's just a big game, that's all. They know us, we know them. Both teams have accomplished a lot. Both deserve to be where they're at."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 FHSAA Class 4A, Region II semifinal.
WHO: Hudson Cobras (20-8, 4A-8 runners-up) vs. Springstead Eagles (28-0, 4A-8 champions).
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Springstead's gym.
AT STAKE: Spot in Feb. 28 regional final against St. Augustine/Ocala-West Port winner.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Hudson (Jason Vetter, 6th year) – C Stephen Brom (Sr), F Josh Santos (Jr), G Jarrod Branco (Sr), G Chris Russo (Jr), PG Jamal Branco (Fr); Springstead (Pat Kelly, 2nd year) – C Isaiah Mason (Sr), F Addison O'Neil (Jr), F Domnique Roberson (Sr), G Nick Steadman (Jr), PG Dante Valentine (Sr).

BY THE NUMBERS: SPRINGSTEAD VS. HUDSON
Date Site Result
12-12 Home W 78-49
01-22 Away W 71-54
02-14 Neutral^ W 52-39
ˆ 4A-8 Tournament game at Sunlake High

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

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