TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Rams Slam Wildcats

Anders gets 499th career win

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST NEWS

Ridgewood received stellar performances from all three of these Rams. From left to right: Byronell Arline (6 points, 13 rebounds), Lukas Poderis (25 points, 8 rebounds), and Alvin Satram (17 points).

ADVERTISEMENT

By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: January 15, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - NEW PORT RICHEY - The top of the District 5A-7 field is tightening by the day, but Tuesday night the Ridgewood Rams claimed their stake as the grouping's top seed come tournament time with an 83-76 dismantling of Wesley Chapel.

Fueled by the high-energy play of senior point guard Mike Lawrence, Ridgewood blew a 15-11 first quarter lead wide open midway through the second quarter and never looked back.

Including Lawrence, four Rams finished in double-figures scoring.

It was the point guard's stellar vision on the court that allowed his teammates to flourish throughout the contest. On top of his 13 points, Lawrence added 13 assists to complete a double-double.

"He makes us go, he makes some great plays," Ridgewood head coach Gary Anders said of Lawrence following the game. "I think he did an outstanding job defending (Ladarius) Manora too. He was making things really tough for him."

"He sees everything on the court," teammate Lukas Poderis said of his floor leader. "He just knows where to pass, he hits the right spots."

Poderis cashed in on quite a few of those sometimes flashy Lawrence dishes, leading the way with 25 points on the night.

Ridgewood has shown a penchant for scoring quickly and in bunches throughout the year, and Tuesday was no different.

Two runs of 13-3 – one to close the first half and another in the third quarter – proved to be more than enough to put away an overmatched Wildcats squad.

The Rams preferred style of fast-paced, transition basketball seemed to wear down Wesley Chapel as well.

As the game's tempo and momentum sped in the favor of the home Rams, so did the edge underneath for rebounds. The Wildcats were having more success on the glass when able to set up their half court offensive sets, but second chance shots were mostly an afterthought by the final half.

Byronell Arline cleaned up in the post, using his large frame to snatch up 13 rebounds to go along with six points.

Greg Jenkins finished as the Wildcats' leading scorer on the night, dropping in 17 points.

GAME NOTES:

Tuesday night's win over Wesley Chapel was Anders' 499th career victory. He has the opportunity to reach the 500-win milestone Friday night when his boys battle district rival Land O' Lakes.

In their previous meeting, Ridgewood edged the Gators 70-69 on Dec. 11 at home.

Friday night's showdown will be played in Land O' Lakes at 7:30.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT