Pirates win district crown

BRADEN RIVER — On any given night, the Braden River High boys basketball team has several players who can put up at least 10 points a game.

They have players who can muscle their way inside to score. They have players who can burn teams from behind the arc. And, that combination of an aggressive inside presence and the guards’ ability to hit from long range has proven to be a nightmare for opposing defenses this season.

And last week’s district championship was no different. Braden River had four of its five starters finish in double figures, as the host Pirates pulled out a 68-56 victory over Venice in the Class 7A-District 11 championship Feb. 10.

“I couldn’t have been happier,” Braden River coach Matt Nesser said. “As far as our inside game, it’s one of the better ones around that I’ve seen, and they knew that they could take advantage of it. Venice is a tough team. They play hard. They battle, and we were fortunate enough to get the win.”

With the win, Braden River captured its second-consecutive district title. But, although the Pirates were content with winning the program’s first district title last year, the players admit they still have a long way to go this season.

“It means a lot, because of the people we’re doing it with,” junior forward Trevon Young said of the team’s second district title. “We’re doing it with a family here. All of our starters came back from last year, and it feels great to do it as a family.”

“It feels good,” senior guard Tre Bryant said. “It’s all fun. We play this sport because we love it. We just want to win. We all came together. It feels good.

Bryant finished with 20 points, and Young scored 18 points and hauled in 14 rebounds to lead the way for Braden River (22-4). Senior center Jeff Casseus added 15 points and six boards, and senior guard Tommy Bernhardt added 12 points.

“Jeff and Trevon played like men in there,” Nesser said. “We knew that our inside game was solid and that people would be trying to defend that. Our guards have worked all summer and it really shows. Tommy and Tre are playing phenomenal, and we’re very happy with them and their leadership.

Braden River advanced to the district championship after cruising to a 62-40 victory over Charlotte in the district semis Feb. 8.

Braden River controlled the perimeter, sinking eight three-pointers — seven of which came in the first half. Bryant finished with a team-high 23 points, including four three-pointers. Young added 13 points, and Bernhardt finished with 12 points.

“It helps everybody,” Bryant said of having multiple players who can put up at least 10 points a game. “It makes the other teams work harder on defense. ... They can’t just focus on one person.”

With the district championship tied at 20-20 late in the first half, Braden River scored five points in the closing 86 seconds to take a 25-20 lead into the locker room.

Venice (17-10) drilled nine shots from behind the arc, but the Pirates never relinquished their lead in the second half.

With the win, the Pirates will host District 12 runner-up Port St. Lucie at 7 p.m. Feb. 16, in a Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinal. Braden River has only lost one game at home this season; and if the Pirates keep winning, they’ll have guaranteed themselves at least two more home games.

LAKEWOOD RANCH
For Lakewood Ranch, success isn’t defined by wins and losses. Rather, it’s defined by the team’s ability to do the best it can — day in and day out.

Such was the case Feb. 10, when fourth-seeded Lakewood tied the game at 41 with 13.6 seconds remaining in the Class 6A-District 12 championship at second-seeded Palmetto to send the game into overtime.

Lakewood was able to match Palmetto shot for shot but was unable to hold on late in the game, as the host Tigers edged out a 61-54 victory in double overtime.

“We define success a little bit differently than other people,” Lakewood coach Jeremy Schiller said. “Our kids have been working hard every day since Sept. 12, when we started conditioning. The ability for this team to stay together and focus on improving everyday has been extremely impressive.

Senior Brian Cobb, who returned from a torn ACL for the final three games on the regular season, finished with a team-high 20 points and 13 rebounds. Chaz Grady added 19 points, seven boards and three assists.

Outside of the Mustangs locker room, it may have come as a bit of a surprise that Lakewood (9-20) was even playing for a district title. But the fourth-seeded Mustangs proved early on they were more than ready for the challenge.

“We aren’t surprised by this at all,” Schiller said. “To outsiders, it may seem surprising, but we visualized and discussed winning the district championship back in late November. We knew we were improving ... and the opportunity would be there. And it was.”

Lakewood opened its district tournament run Feb. 6 ,with a 58-41 victory over fifth-seeded Dixie Hollins 58-41 in the 6A-12 quarterfinals.

After a turnover-filled first half, Lakewood outscored the Rebels 19-7 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Cobb scored a team-high 18 points in about 18 minutes of action to lead the way for the Mustangs. Junior Cory Adams and sophomore Justin Otis also finished in double figures with 10 points apiece.

Lakewood followed its district quarterfinal victory with a 60-55 upset of top-seeded Seminole Osceola 60-55 in a Class 6A-District 12 semifinal Feb. 8. Cobb scored 13 points and hauled in 14 rebounds, and junior Chaz Grady finished with 12 points, eight boards and three assists to lead the way for Lakewood.
The Mustangs, who held the Warriors to 28% shooting, were up by 15 in the third before Osceola took the lead with about three minutes to play on six 3-pointers by senior Marcus Cumby. Otis, who was perfect from behind the arc, responded, sinking his fourth 3-pointer of the night to give the Mustangs the lead.
As the 6A-12 runner-up, the Mustangs will travel to Tampa Sickles for a Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal Feb. 16. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

“I believe the sky is the limit,” Schiller said. “As long as our guys work hard every day to improve, and they truly do their best, winning and losing takes care of itself.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].