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Palm Harbor Makes Due Without Key Transfers

Three Players Left Town, But Hurricanes Persevering

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: January 8, 2009

PALM HARBOR - The simple reality of today's prep sports landscape says that the act of an athlete transferring from school to school, for better or for worse, simply comes with the territory.

Losing or gaining one player in a year – a common occurrence – can make a subtle difference. Losing or gaining three players in a year – not so common – can be the difference between 5-20 and 20-5.

The negative sounding portion of the latter circumstance is what faced the Palm Harbor University boys basketball team heading into this season.

Before a single game was played in the 2008-09 season, starting point guard Kevin McKellar bolted down county, to Boca Ciega. Forwards Chaz Green and Jordan Jones partnered up to head across Tampa Bay, to Tampa Catholic.

It may not be the optimal way to dive into a new season, but Palm Harbor Coach Mike Walters said that it is just part of the game nowadays. He said he spent minimal time speaking with his team about the transfers and that in many instances players find out before coaches.

"It's kind of hard to explain. It's not something you expect, but when it happens, it happens. You just deal with it and it means other players now get more of a chance to play."

Although no coach ever wants to see his roster shrink for any reason other than graduation, Walters believes he has been left with a capable group of athletes.

"The first reaction is thinking about what could have been. But the guys we have at our school now, they want to be here. So, as a coach, you work with those guys and they'll play hard. They have pride and they're looking to stay at the school they originally started from."

An unfortunate reality for Walters and any current senior or junior is that this is not the first time losing talent for Palm Harbor. Center Adam Pegg, now playing as a freshman at the University of Delaware, jumped ship just last season to play for Clearwater High.

Senior Hurricanes forward Tyler Stevenson said despite the recent departures, there can still be positives taken from transferred teammates.

"Absolutely," Stevenson said. "It was tough losing all those guys because I've known them for a long time and then all of a sudden half your team leaves. But I think it's motivation for us. Other people are stepping up and taking advantage of the situation."

As of Tuesday, the Hurricanes are 4-8 overall. They have struggled to find consistency, but that should be expected from a team with minimal on-the-court experience as a unit.

Stevenson has been one of the successes thus far, averaging just less than 20 points per game and nearly a double-double with rebounds included.

In addition, junior guards Mike McNeely and Ja'Tuan Landing continue to become more assertive on the court and give the Hurricanes quickness around the perimeter.

"We're learning and getting better at understanding each other right now," Stevenson said. "It's a new group of kids and most of us are just figuring out how to play together as a team. That's been tough for us."

His focus heading into the season's second half is for continued maturation and on getting his team to play a full four quarters, Walters said.

Stevenson said he is expecting the same while also keeping high hopes for the Hurricanes' chances in a tough Class 5A, District 9 field.

"We want to do well in districts. If teams start to sleep on Palm Harbor, I think we're going to surprise some people."

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com.

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