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Palm Harbor Threatens, Can't Topple Boca

Boca Ciega 64, Palm Harbor 58

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: December 19, 2007

PALM HARBOR - PALM HARBOR - PALM HARBOR - Boca Ciega High needed every ounce of athleticism they could muster Tuesday night at Palm Harbor University to edge past the youthful Hurricanes, 64-58.

The Pirates (10-3) looked to be pulling away early, closing the fast-paced first quarter on a 5-0 run to take the 27-23 lead. Palm Harbor (2-7) did not back down though, adjusting to the tenacious defense and run-and-gun style executed by the Pirates.

Boca Ciega pressed their lead in the second quarter to as many as ten points, but the Hurricanes – due in large part from the play of sophomore point guard Kevin McKellar – began to capitalize on open shots.

McKellar – who led all scorers with 17 points – along with teammates Sam Purdy and Mike McNeely, combined for six 3-pointers and 27 of Palm Harbor's 38 points in the first half.

McKellar also dished out seven assists on the night and was integral in breaking the Pirates' suffocating full-court press defense by spryly slashing through defenders with impressive ball handling and speed.

While the Hurricanes relied on the outside game to keep it close, Boca Ciega utilized the big bodies of Julius Forte and Norman Williams in the post to do damage on both ends of the court. The Pirates benefited from numerous second chance put-backs from the duo cleaning the offensive boards down low.

Palm Harbor's clutch shooting made up for their lack of presence in the blocks and let them enter halftime in a 38-38 tie.

The scoring pace never again reached that of the first quarter, but the second half seesawed throughout, waiting for someone to finally take control.

Palm Harbor began to match the Pirates' aggressiveness on defense with a half-court scheme that, at times, knocked Boca Ciega out of rhythm.

Increasingly sloppy play was likely the cause of the slowed offensive production though. Both squads eclipsed the 20-turnover mark by games' end.

McKellar continued to keep Palm Harbor within striking distance entering the final period. His back-to-back layups while slicing to the basket gave the Hurricanes one of their three second-half leads with just over five minutes left to play.

Boca Ciega never let the Hurricanes take more than a 1-point advantage in the second half however, and they finally put the game to rest on two huge plays in the match's final 1:30 minutes.

First, Pirates' guard Laquarrio King forced a turnover on an errant Palm Harbor inbounds pass and hooked up with the wide-open Williams for an easy lay in and 62-58 lead.

Then, following a mid- court McKellar steal with only 40 seconds remaining, Boca Ciega's Richard Prince came up huge. He flew in from behind to swat away McKellar's breakaway layup attempt that would have cut the lead to a single basket.

On the evening, four Pirates' finished with double-figures in scoring: King (12), Forte (11), Williams (15) and forward Orhian Johnson (11).

Johnson – also the standout starting quarterback for the Boca Ciega football team and a Division I-A prospect – had to leave the game midway through the second half after being hit in the eye.

NEXT UP:

Palm Harbor looks for a quick rebound as they welcome another quality non-district opponent, Dixie Hollins, into their gym tonight.

Boca Ciega jumps back into District 5A-11 play Friday night when they visit Seminole.

JV RESULTS:

The Palm Harbor junior varsity team took out Boca Ciega with a second half surge prior to the varsity game, winning 54-36.

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