By Jeff Odom
The Wesley Chapel boys basketball team did just enough to win 65-62 at cross-town rival Wiregrass Ranch Feb. 1.
The Wildcats (21-4) dominated most of the second half, but nearly blew a 16-point lead in the closing seconds when the Bulls (19-6) went on an 11-0 run during the final three minutes to pull within one.
Wesley Chapel would not be deterred as junior guard Carson Emery stripped Wiregrass Ranch’s Chris Parra and found senior forward Erik Thomas (35 points, 11 rebounds) wide open down the court for a layup with 11.3 seconds left to end any hope for a comeback. Dozens of fans in the capacity crowd stormed the court in celebration.
“I know it’s a cliché, but it’s a shame that somebody had to lose,” said Wildcats coach Doug Greseth. “I thought Wiregrass really did a great job, and I think defensively we did exactly what we wanted to do. … I’m really proud of my guys for hanging on there at the end.”
Bulls coach Jeremy Calzone was less than pleased with his team’s all-around effort, especially defensively.
“I wish we gave a better effort like we did the last three minutes of the game,” Calzone said. “That’s the problem with this team. We go in spurts, and we don’t know how to play hard all the time. We get away with it sometimes, but they weren’t going to let us get away with it tonight.”
Wesley Chapel stumbled out of the gate in the first quarter, falling behind 14-4. The Wildcats stormed back when Wiregrass Ranch senior forward Rico Kerney was forced to the bench with two fouls.
Wesley Chapel ended the second quarter ahead by six and continued rolling in the third quarter by opening on a 13-2 run. Thomas scored 22 of his team’s 31 after halftime.
“We came out hard to play today, and they gave us a fight,” Thomas said. “We were ready to play and we matched their intensity, but it was who wanted the game more, and we just did everything we can to win the game.”
The Bulls hung in the contest by hitting 10 3-pointers, and Kerney had another attempt hit off the backboard and rim as time expired to secure the win for the Wildcats.
“We had a game plan and we stuck to it,” Greseth said. “They’re a high scoring team, and we only gave up 62 points. I think that’s a big testament to how well we played tonight, and it’s a great game to get us ready for the state playoffs and the district tournament.”
Emery had 15 points and seven rebounds, while guard Brian Rodriquez dished out nine assists. Center Harcus Hayne pulled down seven rebounds and scored eight.
Kerney led Wiregrass Ranch with 18 points, while Parra added 16.
Wesley Chapel hosts this week’s Class 5A-District 8 tournament as the top seed. The Wildcats play No. 8 Zephyrhills Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. for their first game in the event.
The Bulls are the No. 3 seed in the 7A-9 tournament at Steinbrenner and will play second-seeded Freedom Feb. 6 at 7:30 in the district semifinals.
—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker
