1,001 Reasons To Watch

BROOKSVILLE - The Bears' final home game was a special occasion for three Central cagers.

Seniors Josh Acosta and MacArthur Loreston each enjoyed Senior Night while junior Darryn Frazier eclipsed the 1,000-point scored plateau in Tuesday night's 60-56 setback to Inverness-Citrus.

"They've been here from the beginning," said Central Head Coach Eric Hayes of the two seniors. "From the first day of conditioning last year, last September, they've been here through the blood, sweat and tears. Through the rough practices, rough days, last season's ups and downs, this season; they've been here working hard day in and day out."

Up at half

Both seniors got the starting nod, and by the half, Central led 31-25 as Frazier pumped in 16 points.

But Citrus came out firing in the second, and within two minutes hit two three-pointers and a field goal.

"They didn't make a lot of adjustments, our intensity may have been too high," discussed Coach Hayes. "They came out and erased a six-point lead to start the second half. We didn't come out with the same intensity. I always tell the guys the most important time of the game is the first couple minutes of each half, the last couple minutes of the half and of course the last minutes of the game."

Central also had 12 fouls in the second half, putting The Hurricanes on the line 13 times, nine of which they converted.

Frazier's fifth foul came with 1:23 left in the fourth, after four three-pointers, six field goals and going 3-for-4 from the line.

Hayes spoke of the junior Frazier, who he enjoys working with, but expects more good things to come.

"What happens in practice, translates to what happens in games. He has to be more aggressive as a leader, in practice as well as in games," said Hayes. "I can't fault him for not being vocal. I wasn't a vocal leader. He needs to be a leader by example, a leader by practicing hard.

"I want him to step up more when things are going wrong. The other players, they respect him; it's better if he says it, they'll listen to him."

But Hayes remembers Frazier is still a junior.

"He still has a lot to learn," describes the second-year Hayes. "He's always asking questions. That's what I like. I see you asking questions, you have a thirst for knowledge. I'm glad I have another year with him."

Central is seeded fourth for the 5A-7 Tournament to be held at Ridgewood High School, and will play River Ridge in the first round.