District boys basketball: Tampa Prep takes 10th straight title

SPRING HILL — Its star player was in foul trouble for the first time all season and its point guard was sidelined early with an ankle injury. The elements were there for Tampa Prep to be upset in its quest for a 10th straight district championship.

But thanks to Tyson Ward, the result was never in doubt. The junior guard's career-high 21 points led Tampa Prep (21-6) to a comfortable 56-41 victory over Seffner Christian in Saturday's Class 3A, District 7 final at Bishop McLaughlin. Tampa Prep hosts Lakeland Sante Fe in the region quarterfinals Thursday and SCA will travel to Winter Haven All Saints'.

Sophomore Amari Goulbourne, who averages six assists and 2.5 steals a game, got hurt early; then with 39 seconds left in the first quarter Juwan Durham picked up his second foul. Terrapins coach Joe Fenlon did not hesitate to pull Durham, and he sat out the rest of the first half.

"As long as we stayed up by double digits there was no need to risk putting him back in," Fenlon said.

Seffner Christian (17-10) only briefly got the margin that low, on a five-point trip where Derek Webster was fouled making a layup, missed the free throw and the Crusaders — after their only offensive rebound of the half compared to nine for Tampa Prep — got a 3 from Kent Hegarty. That made it 28-19, but Tampa Prep led by 11 at halftime and eventually led by 20.

Ward had six points at half but took off for 10 in the third quarter. Durham departed again after his third foul three minutes in and finished with his second-lowest point total of the year, 12.

"I got into a little rhythm there that I couldn't get out of," Ward said. "We always talk about having a leader, and I tried to fill that role a little tonight."

The Crusaders shot 50 percent including 11-for-17 in the second half. Hegarty led with 14 points and Reid Walker had 10. Webster had five assists.

Mike Fridella had 14 points for Tampa Prep.

Goulbourne a big ice bag on his right ankle and there was no indication if he'd be ready to go for the playoff opener.

3A-9: Calvary wins

ST. PETERSBURG — Dec. 12, 2014 won't haunt Paxton Wilson anymore.

That night, the sophomore had two late free throws to put away Shorecrest. He missed both and the Chargers went on to win in double overtime.

Saturday, Wilson used a cool fourth quarter to will his Warriors to a 68-65 victory. Calvary (19-9) hosts Bradenton Christian Thursday; Shorecrest (18-7) plays at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.

"That game haunted him and he took over to show what he was made of in the fourth quarter," Warriors coach Keb Burley said.

With Brian Benjamin (five assists and nine rebounds) and Eddie Williams (10 points, 12 rebounds and three assists) feeding him, Wilson hit four 3s in the final eight minutes to help turn a 44-44 deadlock into a win.

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"They have good handles on the ball so they can drive and pass well," said Wilson (22 points, seven rebounds and three steals). "They found me on my spots."

For Shorecrest, Brady Grimm scored 27 and Marcus Blake had 15 points and 11 boards.

"We watched film of our last game with them," Wilson said. "We slowed down in the second half then but (Saturday) we sprinted the entire game."

Chuck Frye, Times correspondent