TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

'Final' Frontier

4A-II BOYS BASKETBALL

Hernando Today photo by BOB EAST III

Springstead Head Coach Pat Kelly reacts as his team scores Tuesday against Hudson. He'll lead the Eagles (29-0) into a regional final for the first time tonight.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: February 28, 2009

Is anyone still wondering if Springstead is for real?

Sure the Eagles' record (29-0) and ranking (ninth) say they are among the state's elite, yet in the eyes of pundits and critics, their schedule says otherwise.

The common theory: eventually, they'll run into someone as good as they are, and then the truth will come out, one way or another.

So far, Springstead has proven itself on the regional terrain, notching victories over Poinciana (71-57) and Hudson (72-49), to reach the regional final for the first time in program history.

That Class 4A, Region II final that the Eagles will host today at 7 p.m. brings to town another first-time regional finalist in Ocala-West Port (23-6) and perhaps the closest match that Springstead has seen.

"They're (West Port) very athletic," said Hudson Head Coach Jason Vetter, whose team played West Port over the summer. "This is going to be a game where I think Springstead won't be a whole lot more athletic than they are."

Strikingly similar

Just how similar are the Wolf Pack to the Eagles? No coach has a better perspective than Citrus High's Tom Densmore.

The Hurricanes are in the same district as West Port (4A-6) and lost twice to the Wolf Pack by one point, 48-47 and 45-44.

They also tangled with Springstead twice, falling 71-54 and 52-47, and are the only common opponent between the two teams.

"I think they're very, very similar," Densmore said. "West Port will have a height advantage. We prepared for them both almost the same way. Both teams apply full-court pressure and try to force you to the turn the ball over to get some easy baskets. Neither relies on the three-pointer, both look to go inside.

"I've called Springstead acrobatic. They had players that made some plays on us that are beyond athletic. We played some pretty athletic teams this year but they went a notch up."

Densmore believes that West Port senior guard John McNair (11.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assist, 1.5 steals) compares favorably to his Springstead counterpart, senior Dante Valentine (18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 4.3 steals).

"Both handle the ball well," Densmore said. "Both can shoot the three, but they don't rely on it. They can get to the basket well, pass well. They're very close together."

The Wolf Pack edge lies in the interior, where they have three players (Jason Pimentel, Markee Teal and Tariq Funderburk) listed at 6-foot-7.

The sophomore Pimentel averaged 10.9 points and 10.1 rebounds during the regular season, while the senior Teal pulled down 7.7 boards per contest. Both rebounding clips would pace the Eagles.

"I've got some really big seniors and more than anything we're pretty big," sixth-year West Port Head Coach Lyle Livengood said. "We have size for the first time since I've been here."

Springstead can counter with 6-foot-5 Isaiah Mason (19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks), who Densmore noted plays bigger than his height because of his leaping ability.

Still, Vetter believes that the senior Mason will face a player "who rivals what he does" for the first time.

Nevertheless, Densmore doesn't believe West Port can take advantage of its size unless it turns into a half-court game.

"With us and West Port, we focused so much on keeping the ball out of the hands of their big guys. We denied the entry to the post," Densmore said. "Both games with them, we kept the games under 50. Defensively we were successful. We just came up a little short.

"Springstead, we worked a lot on breaking their press. We weren't worried about them shooting threes. It was cutoff their drives at the basket. We weren't as successful at slowing them down."

Sizing 'em up

Tonight's opposing coaches, Livengood for West Port and Springstead's Pat Kelly, have certainly done their homework and seemed equally impressed.

"They don't have any weak links on that team," Kelly said. "We've got to make sure to bring intensity and play real hard. Attack whatever they put in front of us. Do the things that make us successful."

Kelly believes his squad can counter the Wolf Pack's height by boxing out and employing the type of hard-nosed team defense it has played all season, attempting to make plays on the ball.

As for handling West Port's press, a defense that Poinciana utilized against the Eagles with some success, Kelly has a clear message if anyone wants to try it.

"I hope so," Kelly said. "Whatever they throw out there we've got to attack. If people want to open the court up to us, we'll try to take advantage."

Livengood pointed to the ability to control the glass and play good help defense as the strengths of a senior-laden Wolf Pack team that relies on balanced contributions.

He said he has seen plenty of tape on Springstead in preparation for the biggest game in his program's history, and thinks dominating the boards and handling the Eagles' pressure are the keys.

"The thing I noticed immediately is how unbelievably hard they (the Eagles) play," Livengood said. "They truly do live off the defensive end, which is not the case with most high school teams. They feed off their pressure, trying to get that 10-12 point run.

"I don't think we're more athletic than them, but I don't think they're more athletic than us. Hopefully we'll match up physically as far as our style of play."

Everyone asked expects a classic duel tonight, yet the biggest difference may not have anything to do with what either club brings to the floor, but the floor itself.

"If there's anything at all (that favors one team), I think Springstead being home," Densmore said. "I think that may give them an edge. I don't know that West Port has played in front of something like that."

The first two Springstead playoff games have drawn huge, raucous crowds and that doesn't figure to change. The home fans will hope to make the Wolf Pack the same color as the unusual gym floor: blue.

"It doesn't hurt," Kelly said of the home-court edge. "It's nice to play on it. Anytime you have a unique gym, it works to your advantage."

"I think it's hugely important," Livengood said. "It's a gym we've never played in with a blue floor. I don't know the last time Springstead was in a position like this. I'm sure the people there will be excited.

"I've heard they have a lively crowd and it gets pretty heated in there. But we've had to go on the road. We've played in tough environments, but we haven't played in one in a while."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 FHSAA Class 4A, Region II final.
WHO: Ocala-West Port Wolf Pack (23-6, 4A-6 champions) vs. Springstead Eagles (29-0, 4A-8 champions).
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Springstead's gym.
AT STAKE: Spot in March 5 state semifinal against Pensacola/Jacksonville-Andrew Jackson winner.
PROBABLE STARTERS: West Port (Lyle Livengood, 6th year) – C Jason Pimentel (So), F Marquis Scott (Sr), G Markee Teal (Sr), G Roderick Washington (Jr), PG John McNair (Sr); 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: HERNANDO COUNTY LONGEST WIN STREAKS
School Streak Season
Central 14 91-92
Hernando 22 63-64
HCA 16 07-08
Nature Coast 7 06-07
Springstead 29* 08-09
* Denotes current streak

BY THE NUMBERS: HERNANDO COUNTY MOST WINS ONE SEASON
School Wins Season
Central 22 96-97
Hernando 25 63-64, 86-97
HCA 20 07-08
Nature Coast 20 06-07
Springstead 29 08-09*
* Denotes current season

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT