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Boys Basketball: District 5A-9 preview

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BY ERIC HORCHY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: February 7, 2009

EAST LAKE - The beautiful thing about a district tournament is that every team gets its one last shot - a final, fleeting attempt to stay above water regardless of any and all regular season futilities.

Unfortunately, for those teams seeded No. 3-7 in next week's Class 5A, District 9 tournament hosted at East Lake High, the league's Top 2 juggernauts - Clearwater and Largo - appear to have no intentions of loosening their steely grips on the only two playoff-qualifying slots.

Clearwater, with an overall record of 20-2 and 12-0 in the district, like its female hardwood counterpart, is one of the most highly touted programs in the state and enters districts loaded with top-tier recruits. Seniors Regan O'Rourke and Julien Sargent and junior star Okaro White are not only favored to breeze Clearwater to its first district title since 2005, but the team is considered a front runner to win it all and raise the Tornadoes' ninth state championship banner.

The only team Largo (19-4, 10-2) has not been able to get past in its district has been Clearwater, quickly making them the favorite to join the Tornadoes in postseason play. As a guard-driven squad, the Packers have been able to effectively spread scoring duties amongst a number of capable athletes throughout the season despite lacking size down low.

Most onlookers may be quick to pen in the District 5A-9 playoff qualifiers without yielding more than a fleeting glimpse to the rest. There are, however, outside contenders that could shake up the scene.

Tournament No. 3 seed East Lake (13-9, 8-4) has the most obvious upset potential of the remaining teams. The Eagles' one-two scoring punch, Walter Smith and Kendall O'Neill, has allowed East Lake to show signs of excellence this season. So downing Largo to reach the championship game is a real possibility. In two regular season meetings, East Lake was tied or had the lead in the fourth quarter of each.

If the Eagles' prospect is similar to a deep 3-point attempt, then Tarpon Springs' shot is more like a full-court heave. While the records (9-13, 5-7) are less than impressive, the Spongers are surging at the right time having won six out of seven as of Tuesday night.

A serious impediment for Tarpon, however, is its No. 4 seeding. If the Spongers succeed in getting by Pinellas Park for a third time this season, Clearwater would be up next.

If there is to be one X-factor that will aid either upset bid, it goes to East Lake. The Eagles are 7-3 on their home court this season and senior forward Kendal O'Neill has said that adding a district championship banner to the Eagles' gymnasium rafters is a goal he's held his entire high school career.

Games will get under way Wednesday evening with the championship game being held next Saturday.

Log onto www.suncoastnews.com> throughout the tournament to find game coverage and photos of the action.

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