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All It takes sometimes is 4.1 seconds
December 11, 2008
Aaron Seybert
SWFLHoops.com
Barron Collier @ Palmetto Ridge
NAPLES---Palmetto Ridge has struggled out of the gate this season, but Thursday night against a short-handed Barron Collier squad it was the opposite. The Bears got out to a good start outscoring the Cougars in the first two quarters and taking a lead into halftime. Palmetto Ridge used relentless pressure in the full court and half court to cause some problems for Barron who was without leading scorer Brian Landers, out with a foot injury, and freshman Deion Clark. However, in the end, despite holding a 4 point lead with just 17 seconds remaining in the game, Palmetto Ridge was unable to hold on and lost a heartbreaker 61-60 at home.
Bears lead by seven at the half, 32-25, running their offense very well and creating turnovers for easy buckets. The Cougars were surviving on free throws in the second quarter to just stay in the game, 6 for 6 from the line in the second frame.
However the second half, and more specifically the fourth quarter, was a whole different story.
In the 3rd quarter Barron Collier got it back to a three point game but at the end of the period Palmetto Ridge caused two quick turnovers for two easy buckets. Which gave the Bears control again heading into the fourth.
With about 5:30 remaining in the fourth, the Cougars made a small run, 6-0, but Palmetto Ridge senior Tyler Terrell quickly stopped that running down and hitting two quick jumpers shots over Cougar defenders to get the lead back to seven.
They played dead even till the 1:30 mark, and that's when Barron Collier seniors Jason Humphrey and Jesus Gonzalez led their team back.
It started with an inbounds play to Humphrey for layup. Then the Bears had an out of bounds play that got tipped and turned over.. Jesus Gonzalez headed down the court and hits a pull up three. Cougars got the ball back with 45 seconds to go but the Cougars missed two game field goals that would have tied the game. Barron ends up fouling Tyler Terrell after he steals the ball with 17.1 seconds left. Terrell makes them both.
With the score sitting at 60-56, Palmetto Ridge's advantage, with 17.1 seconds remaining the Cougars hopes were little to none.
But they were determined not to give up.
Gonzalez speeds down the court and hits another pull up three with 7.5 seconds left. Then on the ensuing inbounds pass, the Bears try and pass it in quick, it gets stolen by Humphrey and he takes it all the way in for the layup and lead, 61-60 Barron Collier is ahead.
Bears call time out with 4.1 seconds left. They set up a play that gets senior Danilo Rupena a wide open shot in the corner, but it comes up short.
The words of Palmetto Ridge head coach Joe Rader after the game put it all in perspective for the Bears, "This is toughest loss I have ever had to deal with. We were up 11 at one point in the fourth and then still up 4 with 17 second left, and to end up loosing is beyond tough. Anything we could do to lose the game in the fourth quarter, we did it. I think we had 8 turnovers in our last 9 possessions of the game or something like that."
Palmetto Ridge was led by Terrell with 13 and Rupena with 11, with both playing intense defense all over the court throughout the night. They also got a good performance from junior big man Ben Azu who had 9, and sophomore guard AJ Davis who chipped in with 11.
Barron Collier was led by Humphrey with 20 and Gonzalez chipped in with 13, including three treys. Sophomore guard David Philips also played well with Landers and Clark sidelined, netting 12 on the evening. Who hit some key shots to keep the cougars in it.
Final Score: Barron Collier 61, Palmetto Ridge 60
BARRON COLLIER (61)
Sanchez 2 0-0 5, Philips 4 3-4 12, Wallace 0 0-0 0, Gonzalez 5 0-1 13, Bianchi 2 4-4 8, Nealon 0 0-0 0, Hayes 1 1-1 3, Humphrey 10 0-2 20 Totals 24 8-11 61
PALMETTO RIDGE (60)
Azu 3 3-4 9, Rupena 4 3-6 11, Deiz-quintana 1 0-0 2, Falisi 1 0-0 2, Terrell 5 2-2 13, Taylor 2 0-0 6, Payne 2 1-2 6, Butler 0 0-0 0, Bailey 0 0-0 0, Davis 5 0-0 11 Totals 23 9-14 60
Barron 12 13 10 26 — 61
Palmetto 15 17 10 18 — 60
Three-pointers: Palmetto Ridge — Terrell, Taylor 2, Payne, Davis; Barron Collier — Sanchez, Philips, Gonzalez 3; Team fouls: Palmetto Ridge 19, Barron Collier 17; Fouled out: Barron Collier — Bianchi; Technicals: Barron Collier — Bench
