By Don Trello
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Eustis boys basketball team overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter Feb. 14 to beat host Wesley Chapel 53-51 in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.
The Wildcats (24-5), which won their first district championship in seven seasons this year, were going for their first playoff win since 2004.
“We’ve had back-to-back 24-win seasons and conference championships and a district title,” said Wesley Chapel coach Doug Greseth. “I hope it shows the younger kids how much work and dedication it takes to stay at this level.”
Guard Dustin Dunham gave the Panthers (18-10) a 49-48 lead with 29 seconds left in the game they never lost.
Wildcats junior guard Brian Rodriguez (10 points) closed the game with a 3-pointer as time expired.
“I told them we played hard, but didn’t make plays at the end of the game,” Greseth said. “I’m not very happy tonight. This was one of our poorer performances.”
Wesley Chapel senior forward Erik Thomas, who is the program’s career leader in points and rebounds, had a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds.
“We just made too many mistakes,” Thomas said. “Mistakes killed us.”
The Wildcats led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter and took a 24-22 lead to the locker room at halftime.
Wesley Chapel stretched their advantage to 39-30 by starting the third on a 15-8 run. Thomas was 5-of-5 from the field to lead the surge.
“I gave it all I could,” said Thomas, who included East Tennessee State as a possibility when asked about next school year. “I’m happy with the goals I accomplished, but this kills me ending our season this way.”
The Wildcats turned the ball over 22 times, including eight in a hectic fourth quarter. Eustis had 15 turnovers and just one in the fourth period.
“We had a nine-point lead at one point that you have to hold, but we couldn’t connect on good opportunities,” Greseth said. “Some were unforced turnovers. We lost our composure.”
Anthony Allen led Eustis with 19 points. The Panthers were 22 for 47 from the field and 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Dunham finished with 16 points, including 10 in the fourth.
Wesley Chapel was 21 for 47 from the field and 6-of-10 from the charity stripe. Each team grabbed 20 rebounds.
The Wildcats had three seniors on their roster, and junior point guard Carson Emery will be among the returning starters next season.
“We accomplished two goals (winning the conference and district), and everyone should be happy about that,” said Emery, who scored nine. “It’s a shame we had to end it like this, but I know we can do something good next year.”
Wiregrass falls at St. Pete
The Wiregrass Ranch boys basketball team lost its Class 7A regional quarterfinals contest at St. Petersburg 77-48 Feb. 12. The usual high-scoring Bulls were held to just four points in the fourth quarter and fell behind by 20 at halftime — a hole they could not climb out of.
