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Legacies at stake in Super Bowl XLVI matchup of New England Patriots and New York Giants

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, February 4, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS

Today, Tom Brady can become Joe Montana.

Today, Bill Belichick can become Chuck Noll.

Today, Jason-Pierre Paul can become Reggie White.

For the player and coach, the Super Bowl is about a lot of things. It's about rings, and it's about money, and it's about the euphoria that comes with winning a championship.

Also, it's about forever. Legacies will be decided today. Players will help shape the way they are remembered — and make sure they will be remembered — when the Patriots play the Giants. Fame, and infamy, are part of the stakes.

Today, Eli Manning can become John Elway.

Today, Tom Coughlin can become Bill Parcells.

Today, Rob Gronkowski can become Shannon Sharpe.

And so on.

Few leagues embrace the history of their championship the way the NFL does. Maybe that's why the league continues to stack Roman numerals on the games. One game is a direct link to another, and the memories fade more slowly than they do for any other title event.

Take Brady, who once sat in the stands with his father to watch Montana play. If he wins today's game, he matches Montana's record of four Super Bowl victories. (Terry Bradshaw also won four, but he didn't throw as much as Montana or Brady.)

It's odd, because the New York papers have been relentless about Brady this week, suggesting that during a Patriots regular-season loss to the Giants he flinched from a fierce pass rush early in the third quarter, leading to conjecture the New York front four is in his head. Two problems with that. One, Brady completed the pass. Two, he threw for 342 yards. Just a guess but his head is probably fine.

Across the field from him, Eli Manning is chasing his own legacy. He can take the lead in the Manning family if he gets his second ring. That would give him as many as Elway, Bart Starr and Ben Roethlisberger. It would also be two in a row Super Bowl wins over Brady. Not bad for Peyton's little brother.

The coaches, too, are trying to chase legends. Take the Patriots' Belichick, who can match Noll's four titles. Granted, unlike Belichick, Noll never lost a Super Bowl, but he never had to worry about the salary cap and free agency, either. Consider this: From Noll's first title (1974 season) to the last (1979), the Steelers had 10 starters who were the same. In Belichick's run, the Patriots have had two (Brady and tackle Matt Light).

If Belichick is chasing Noll, then the Giants' Coughlin is trying to become Bill Parcells, his old boss. A victory here would make him 2-1 in Super Bowls, the same as Parcells. No one seems to hold him in the same regard, but Coughlin would have beaten better opponents in the Super Bowl than Parcells.

There are others. If he can get three sacks, the Giants' (and ex-Bull) Pierre-Paul can tie Reggie White's Super Bowl game record. If he's healthy, the Patriots' Gronkowski should be able to match Sharpe's eight catches (in three Super Bowls) without much strain. Heck, Dan Ross' record of 11 would be possible if Gronkowski wasn't slowed by a left ankle injury. The Patriots' Wes Welker caught 11 in his last Super Bowl; another 10 and he can be — ta da — teammate Deion Branch, third with 21 career Super Bowl catches. Branch needs six to tie Andre Reed for second.

Who else? The Patriots' Robert Kraft is still chasing former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, who won five Super Bowls. Kraft, who has a record six conference titles in the Super Bowl era, could get his fourth ring.

You would think that BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the little-known Patriots running back, knows all about Tim Smith, a little-known Redskins running back who gained 204 yards in the 1988 Super Bowl. You would think that Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes knows all about the way the Patriots' Adam Vinatieri knocked home winning field goals to beat the Rams and the Panthers in the final seconds. You would think Giants safety Antrele Rolle dreams about matching the Dolphins' Jake Scott's MVP performance in the 1972 Super Bowl.

That's the thing about the Super Bowl. No one ever dreams of being Jackie Smith, who dropped a touchdown pass for Dallas in Super Bowl XIII. Or the Bills' Scott Norwood, whose 47-yard field-goal attempt to beat the Giants faded to the right. Or Earl Morrall, who still hasn't found Jimmy Orr after all the years that have passed.

Every position has a standard bearer. Almost every game has had someone worth remembering. Today, two teams play for a title. Also, for a page in the history books.


Tampa Bay Lightning Nuts and Bolts

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

5 questions D Marc-Andre Bergeron

When did you get interested in auto racing?

I was pretty young. In my hometown there was a race weekend every year. I could hear it from my house.

Did you go?

We used to sneak in and look through the fence at the cars.

Why does it appeal to you?

I relate it to hockey. There's a lot of passion. It's something you need to love to do.

Have you ever been to the Indy 500?

Last year.

How was it?

It was pretty cool.

Name game

If you have seen the 2006 movie starring Jack Black about the fictional wrestler Nacho Libre, you know exactly why Lightning rookie LW Pierre-Cedric Labrie, above, has that nickname.

Not only does Labrie (la-BREE) sound kind of like Libre (LEE-bray), "he looked like Nacho Libre to me," teammate Ryan Malone said. "He's big enough, and he looks like a wrestler, so he could pull it off."

Besides, said Malone, who came up with the nickname, "I didn't know what else to call him."

"I love it. It's funny," said Labrie, who last week was reassigned to AHL Norfolk and never has wrestled.

"I fight, though," he said.

Starring roles

When Lightning equipment manager Ray Thill was asked to work the Jan. 29 All-Star Game in Ottawa, he was allowed to bring assistants Rob Kennedy and Clay Roffer. Each viewed the event differently.

Thill liked the laid-back atmosphere: "I think we might have sharpened four skates the whole time we were there," he said.

Roffer loved the skills competition: "I'm sitting on the bench watching (Bruins D Zdeno) Chara blast a 108-mph slap shot. It was very cool."

For Kennedy, cool was sharing the weekend with son Quinn, 7: "Just to have him there, be on the bench for the skills competition and in the locker room. Now he's paying more attention to the highlights. That wasn't there before."

Tampa Bay Lightning has "no plans" to send rookie Brett Connolly back to juniors yet

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

It seems as if the Lightning is committed to keeping Brett Connolly on its roster despite dramatic dropoffs in his offensive production and ice time, and that the rookie right wing needs to get much better defensively.

He was even benched for Thursday's game with the Jets.

Connolly can be sent to Tri-City of the junior Western league, and for him to be eligible for its playoffs, the move must be made by the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline. But Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman said, "At this time we don't have any plans to do that."

It is a decision based on what the team believes is best for Connolly's development and the rules that say when junior-eligble players can be sent to the professional minor leagues, rules Yzerman believes need to be tweaked.

Yzerman would like to send Connolly, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2010 draft, to AHL Norfolk, where he could get more playing time and develop his skills in more of a teaching environment.

But junior-eligible players such as Connolly, 19, cannot go to the minors until their junior team's season is complete. Tri-City's regular season runs through mid March. Add up to four rounds of playoffs and Connolly might have an extended run with the Americans before getting to Norfolk.

The way the Lightning sees it, playing where Connolly would be dominant and focused on offense would not be best for his overall development.

Yzerman said he would like to see the rules tweaked so players who have played three junior seasons, such as Connolly, can be sent directly to the minors.

"These rules are in place for a reason. They're trying to protect junior hockey," Yzerman said. "We're not trying to raid junior hockey, but we look at Brett. Part of the reason we wanted to keep him is that it felt like it was time for him to play against stronger competition at a higher pace. Junior hockey is good, but he's had three years."

And so unless the Lightning completely falls out of the playoff race, when Yzerman said perhaps he might reconsider, Connolly is with the Lightning, even if he has to watch occasionally from the bench.

"It's part of the process of being an NHL player," Yzerman said.

District wrestling, 2A-8: Dunedin tops Sunlake with late head-to-head victory

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By Basil Spyridakos, Times Correspondent
Saturday, February 4, 2012

DUNEDIN — Dunedin and Sunlake battled back and forth for the team points lead during Saturday evening's Class 2A, District 8 wrestling finals, with both teams showcasing an impressive display of willpower.

A pinfall victory by Dunedin's RJ Luth over Sunlake's Jordan Mills in the 220-pound bout sealed the team title for the Falcons, their third consecutive district crown.

"Sunlake was outstanding," ninth-year Dunedin coach Marc Allison said. "They had the lead, and we ended up catching them and beating them. It shows our young kids that if you work hard and do your job then the payoff is there."

Dunedin scored 182 points, followed by Sunlake (172), Zephyrhills (106) was third ahead of River Ridge (103), and Mitchell (90) was fifth.

The Falcons' Kyle Goodnow, ranked No. 2 in the state at 170 pounds according to Scout.com, produced dominating performances throughout the tournament. Goodnow easily defeated Mitchell's David Hayes 9-1 in the championship final of his weight class.

"I was a little disappointed how the team wrestled at Palm Harbor, but they stepped it up this week for districts and I'm proud of them," said Goodnow, who improves his record to 43-0 this season.

Dunedin and Sunlake each had eight wrestlers reach the championship finals, and each had five wrestlers walk away with individual crowns.

In addition to Luth and Goodnow, Dunedin's champions were: coach's son Marc Allison (126 pounds), Chandler Pope (132) and Alex Lehbar (138).

The Seahawks' titlists were: Wesley Wood (113), John Ortiz (120), Austin Lopez (182), Zach Kweller (195) and Brandon Franklin (285).

But the Falcons had one more third-place finish than the Seahawks, helping Dunedin earn the district title.

The Falcons and Seahawks each qualified 12 wrestlers for the region tournament at St. Cloud beginning Friday. The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance.

"We're in a tough region," Allison said. "We go in hoping that we can stay healthy and that every kid wrestles to the best of their ability."

Super Bowl capsule

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

Stat pack



rushing yards

passing yards

total yards

Rushing yards allowed

passing yards allowed

total yards allowed

Patriots

Giants

110.2 (20th)

89.2 (32nd)

317.8 (2nd)

295.9 (5th)

428.0 (2nd)

385.1 (8th)

117.1 (17th)

121.2 (19th)

293.9 (31st)

255.1 (29th)

411.1 (31st)

376.4 (27th)

AFC champ New England Patriots (15-3)

Coach: Bill Belichick (139-53, 16-5 playoffs)

Super Bowl history: 3-3; XX — lost to Bears 46-10; XXXI — lost to Packers 35-21; XXXVI — defeated Rams 20-17; XXXVIII — defeated Panthers 32-29; XXXIX — defeated Eagles 24-21; XLII — lost to Giants 17-14

NFC champ New York Giants (12-7)

Coach: Tom Coughlin (74-54, 7-3 playoffs)

Super Bowl history: 3-1; XXI — defeated Broncos 39-20; XXV — defeated Bills 20-19; XXXV — lost to Ravens 34-7; XLII — defeated Patriots 17-14

POINTS per game

Patriots Scored — 32.1 (3rd) Allowed — 21.4 (15th) Giants Scored — 24.6 (9th) Allowed — 25.0 (25th)

Three big questions

1. Does the Giants' defense have an answer for the Patriots' dynamic tight end duo?

2. Can the Giants' Eli Manning — the best postseason QB in his family — rise to the occasion again?

3. How much will the New England no-huddle offense neutralize the Giants' ferocious pass rush?

Three players to watch

Vince Wilfork, Patriots defensive tackle

You might look at New England's defense, ranked 31st during the regular season, and make assumptions about its personnel. But watching Wilfork during the past few games has provided a reminder that he remains one of the best in the business. There's a reason he was voted to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time. He single-handedly destroys offensive lines.

Victor Cruz, Giants receiver

For a guy who came close to being cut in 2010, Cruz has proved he can do more than salsa dance (which he does quite well, thank you). He's as crafty a receiver as you'll see, particularly when lined up in the slot and working against zones. That's where he did much of his damage in the NFC title game, in which he caught 10 passes for 142 yards.

Aaron Hernandez, Patriots tight end

Hernandez is half of what has become the league's most fearsome tight end tandem (with Rob Gronkowski). But who knew he could play tailback, too? The former Gator has provided a wrinkle for the Patriots' offense, rushing eight times for 70 yards in the postseason. It adds another dimension to an already prolific offense.

Probable starters

Patriots OFFENSE

WR: Wes Welker 83

LT: Matt Light 72

LG: Logan Mankins 70

C: Dan Connolly 63

RG: Brian Waters 54

RT: Nate Solder 77

TE: Rob Gronkowski 87

WR: Deion Branch 84

QB: Tom Brady 12

RB: Danny Woodhead 39

TE: Aaron Hernandez 81

Patriots defense

DE: 75 Vince Wilfork

NT: Kyle Love 74

DE: Brandon Deaderick 71

LB: Mark Anderson 95

LB: Jerod Mayo 51

LB: Brandon Spikes 55

LB: Rob Ninkovich 50

CB: Devin McCourty 32

CB: Kyle Arrington 24

FS: 25 Patrick Chung 25

SS: James Ihedigbo 44

Special teams

PK: Stephen Gostkowski 3

KO: Stephen Gostkowski 3

P: Zoltan Mesko 14

PR: Julian Edelman 11

KR: Danny Woodhead 39

Giants offense

WR: Victor Cruz 80

LT: David Diehl 66

LG: Kevin Boothe 77

C: David Baas 64

RG: Chris Snee 76

RT: Kareem McKenzie 67

TE: Jake Ballard 85

WR: Hakeem Nicks 88

QB: Eli Manning 10

FB: Henry Hynoski 45

RB: Ahmad Bradshaw 44

Giants defense

DE: Justin Tuck 91

DT: Linval Joseph 97

DT: Chris Canty 99

DE: Jason Pierre-Paul 90

LB: Chase Blackburn 93

LB: Michael Boley 59

CB: Corey Webster 23

CB: Aaron Ross 31

FS: Antrel Rolle 26

SS: Deon Grant 34

S: Kenny Phillips 21

Special teams

PK: Lawrence Tynes 9

KO: Lawrence Tynes 9

P: Steve Weatherford 5

PR: Will Blackmon 36

KR: Jerrel Jernigan 12

Injury report

Giants Probable: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), S Tyler Sash (foot), DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), CB Corey Webster (hamstring), LB Jacquian Williams (foot).

Patriots Questionable: T Marcus Cannon (ankle), S Patrick Chung (knee), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle), DT Kyle Love (ankle), G Logan Mankins (knee), LB Rob Ninkovich (hip), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), T Sebastian Vollmer (flu, back, foot), WR Wes Welker (knee), LB Tracy White (abdomen). Probable: WR Deion Branch (knee), C Dan Connolly (groin), S James Ihedigbo (shoulder), T Matt Light (flu), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder).

The Giants win if

Their receivers consistently win their matchups against the porous New England secondary. The Giants kept the 49ers on their heels in the NFC title game, and they look to do the same against the Patriots. Also critical is the Giants' ability to make Patriots QB Tom Brady throw prematurely with their pass rush.

The Patriots win if …

They can keep the ball away from the Giants' offense. Though the Patriots often invoke thoughts of quick-strike scoring plays, they often embark on long scoring drives using short passes to their tight ends and receiver Wes Welker. If QB Tom Brady can play more efficiently than he did in the AFC title game — he had two interceptions and was sacked five times — it might be tough for the Giants to get enough possessions to win.

Our take

We lean toward the Giants when determining the more complete team. The Patriots' biggest advantage in most of their games is quarterback Tom Brady, owner of three Super Bowl rings. But as was the case in the Giants' run to the Super Bowl title for the 2007 season, QB Eli Manning seems to play at a different level in the postseason. This season he was among the elite passers during the regular season, too. Though the Patriots have overcome their shortcomings on defense, their unreliable secondary might be overmatched. Giants receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz will make their share of plays, and if New York's defensive front has a big night, the Patriots will struggle to trade scores.

Prediction: Giants 29, Patriots 27

Super Bowl news and notes

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Times wires
Saturday, February 4, 2012

Patriots vs. Giants

6:30 tonight, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis; Line: Patriots by 3 TV/radio: Ch. 8; 1010-AM

SUPER BOWL

XLVI

Emergency of the day

The NFL thinks of everything. The second of four buses carrying the Giants from their hotel to the University of Indianapolis for Saturday's final walkthrough developed engine problems. But the NFL had a substitute bus on hand and got the players and coaches back en route. Total delay? About five minutes.

Quotable

"I found that very endearing. Very sweet to have a wife do that for her husband and give that positive energy. I think we all need that in the world. To listen to the news broadcasters … be negative towards that, I think it is really (bad)."

Kellan Lutz, Twilight star, left, on Gisele Bundchen sending an email asking friends to pray for her husband, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, to win

Patriots vs. Giants

6:30 tonight, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis; Line: Patriots by 3 TV/radio: Ch. 8; 1010-AM

SUPER BOWL

XLVI

Premature celebration of the day

The Giants' website, Giants.com, briefly declared the team Super Bowl champs Saturday afternoon, New York's Daily News reported. It also provided links to purchase Super Bowl championship merchandise and a championship "badge" to put on Facebook or Twitter.

Quotable

"Can't believe this weather. A year ago this week, we had a major ice storm."

Lee Parsons, Indianapolis resident, on the city's mild weather throughout last week; last year an ice storm paralyzed Dallas during Super Bowl week

Florida Gators use disruptive defense to beat Vanderbilt Commodores 73-65

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

GAINESVILLE — In a Saturday afternoon battle between two of the SEC's best offenses, defense made the most difference for Florida.

The Gators relied on a solid pressing defense in the second half that disrupted the Commodores enough to allow Florida to fight to a 73-65 win.

The No. 12 Gators (19-4, 7-1 SEC) have won 19 consecutive home games and are on a seven-game winning streak, their longest SEC winning streak since 2006. Florida shot 38.3 percent but forced the No. 25 Commodores (16-7, 5-3) into 17 turnovers, which led to 19 UF points.

"That's the reason why we won the game, our defensive pressure," said freshman guard Bradley Beal, who had 16 points and seven rebounds, including six of Florida's final 11 points to help seal the win. "Because we were able to force turnovers … and we got them to play fast, and when they were playing fast, it took them out of their offense a little bit."

Trailing 37-34 at halftime, Vanderbilt put together a 9-0 run to take a 43-40 lead with 16:56 left. The Gators eventually went on a 7-0 run to take a 56-49 lead.

Florida led 66-62 after Vanderbilt senior center Festus Ezeli hit two free throws with 1:32 left, and on Florida's ensuing possession, senior guard Erving Walker drew the defense to him with a drive and passed to wide open Kenny Boynton, who hit a 3-pointer with 1:01 left. Vanderbilt committed its final turnover with 29.3 seconds left and trailing by six. Florida hit all 14 of its second-half free-throw tries and 16 of 17 overall.

Florida center Patric Young, who has been slowed by tendinitis, started for the first time in more than weeks but played just 14 minutes, hampered by foul trouble. But forwards Will Yeguete and Erik Murphy played strong defense on 6-foot-11, 255-pound Ezeli, who had 11 points and three rebounds. Yeguete had eight rebounds and five points, and was disruptive on defense much of the game, especially when Florida pressed.

"I think they were really scared,'' Yeguete said.

Playing a second game in three days, coach Billy Donovan said Florida showed signs of fatigue throughout.

"I thought our energy was waning because it is tough when you play Thursday-Saturday like we've had to do, and I thought we were teetering in the second half," Donovan said. "I tried to encourage those guys to keep battling and fighting, and I thought we did that."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

Florida State Seminoles beat Virginia Cavaliers 58-55, stay tied for ACC lead

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Times wires
Saturday, February 4, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Michael Snaer already had a star's reputation at Florida State, and Saturday afternoon he added to it.

With 1:56 remaining in the 21st-ranked Seminoles' game against No. 16 Virginia, the junior guard's 3-pointer from several feet beyond the arc crippled the Cavaliers and helped power the Seminoles to a 58-55 win. A seventh straight ACC victory kept FSU (16-6, 7-1) tied for first in the conference with North Carolina, which beat Maryland 83-74 Saturday.

Duke, a half-game behind, hosts Miami today.

Snaer, who made a winning buzzer-beater at Duke two weeks ago, said Saturday's victory is a clear sign FSU will not be going away soon.

"It says that we're for real. This wasn't a fluke, us beating certain teams," Snaer said. "And we're not going away. It's not like we're the hunted. Everybody wants to say that now. But no, we're still the hunters.''

Cavaliers guard Sammy Zeglinski had been suffocating Snaer much of the game. Snaer was scoreless in the first half and was left looking for space to find an open shot in the second half.

When he finally did, he made Zeglinski pay.

"He was up on me all game trying to make sure I didn't get that shot, and then he backed up off me, and I said, 'Well, you let me have it now,' so I went on and took it," Snaer said. "I knew it was pretty far."

"That was a big shot for them," Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. "(Snaer will) eye you up, and he will shoot it at any time."

The shot gave the Seminoles a 53-48 lead and was the second of three straight shots Snaer made to help answer a 14-0 run that had given the Cavaliers (18-4, 5-3) a lead and late momentum.

"We weren't too worried about (Virginia's run)," Snaer said. "We knew that as long as we kept getting stops and just trusted in the offense, everything was going to work out."

In addition to Snaer's clutch shooting, the Seminoles employed stifling, aggressive defense. The Cavaliers committed a season-high 20 turnovers.

Though he praised Snaer, FSU coach Leonard Hamilton believed the turnovers were the biggest difference. "The biggest stat was that we made 19 turnovers; they made one more turnover than we did," Hamilton said. "And that one possession could have been the difference in the game."

So, too, could have been a pair of timely blocks.

The Seminoles closed out the first half with a block at the rim by Xavier Gibson with about 25 seconds remaining. It helped preserve a one-point lead.

With 2:30 left in the game, as the Seminoles were beginning to answer the Cavaliers' run, senior forward Bernard James blocked a layup from Jontel Evans to maintain a five-point lead.

"Even though Bernard did not have a great scoring night, his presence in there contesting shots (was good)," Hamilton said. "Whenever you play a team of the quality of a Virginia, all of those possessions count."

Former Clearwater High standout Okaro White came off the bench to score 13, grab five rebounds and help slow Virginia star Mike Scott. "I really try to pinpoint what's going on in the game," White said about watching from the bench in the first few minutes of games. "I know when I go in what I can get."

"Okaro has really settled in to being a go-to guy in the second half," Hamilton said. "Okaro has been making an impact the whole year."


2A-7 wrestling: Springstead wins eighth consecutive district title; Fivay wins first in school history

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By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent


Saturday, February 4, 2012

BROOKSVILLE — Eight straight district titles and 26 overall: Those are the numbers that Springstead put under its belt with a dominant victory in the Class 2A, District 7 wrestling tournament Saturday.

The Eagles earned 294 points on the strength of 10 individual champions, qualifying all 14 of their wrestlers for the Class 2A, Region 2 tournament beginning Friday at St. Cloud.

The top four in each weight class advance to region meets.

"I don't think anyone's catching us," Springstead coach Eric Swensen said. "Teams like Nature Coast are getting better, but we don't worry about what other programs do. We just handle our business."

Matt Landgraff (106 pounds), Mike McDonald (113), Josh Herrera (132), Joe Russo (138), Sean Redman (145), and Conor Ross (170) all won their first district crowns. Landgraff, McDonald, Herrera and Conor Ross are all freshman for the elite program.

Meanwhile, Jordan Rivera (126), Cody Ross (152), Thomas Gupton (195), and John Dreggors (285) each repeated performances from last season. Cody Ross and Dreggors, both seniors, won their fourth titles in four years. Dreggors won his first title as a freshman with Citrus before transferring.

Citrus was the district runnerup (221). This was a disappointment to Nature Coast, which had its sights set on that position. The Sharks (186 points), still advanced 12 to the region meet, but did not have an individual champion.

"I think that we underperformed," Nature Coast coach Mike Lastra said. "This was our first time in a district with three of the top teams in the state. I still believe we should finish second in the region."

Sean Nguyen (106), Cameron Tull (126), Luis Espinosa (132), Carter Bolesta (145), Mitch Lambert (160), Carlos Carasquillo (170), and Greg Jarque (285) each took second for Nature Coast.

Hernando advanced five wrestlers to region, including district champion Jesse Gaudin (220). Central will also have five representatives, while Land O'Lakes advanced three.

A-8: Fivay continues making history

HUDSON — Fivay, which won its first conference title in school history last week, won its first district crown Saturday.

The Falcons (200 points) won the Class A, District 8 tournament rather handily thanks to six individual champions. Fivay advances 11 overall to the Class A, Region 2 tournament at Tenoroc in Lakeland next week.

Troy Reed (113 pounds), Jesse Barker (126), Colin Hahn (160), Dominic Grilli (170), Nicco Lightfoot (182) and Mike Hahn (220) all took first for the Falcons. Barker and Mike Hahn were repeat champions.

Pasco (148 points) earned the runnerup trophy with titles from J.P. Gamez (120) and Niko DeAugustino (138).

Anclote's Chris Sorrick (106) and Colton Nichols (132) were the other two North Suncoast individual champions at the tournament.

Can't forget about the top pass catcher

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Times wires
Saturday, February 4, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Wes Wel­ker is used to being overlooked.

He's 5 feet 9. He wasn't drafted. His 11 catches couldn't prevent the Patriots from losing the Super Bowl four years ago. And in the week before tonight's rematch against the Giants, the receiver is getting little attention.

Welker's league-high 122 catches were in the shadow of the injured ankle of Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski. So does the small receiver believe he needs a big game to raise his profile?

"I don't think I am really worried about that too much," Welker said. "I just try to go out there and do my job to the best of my ability. I really just focus on whatever I have to do to help the team win the game."

He could have a larger role with Gronkowski at less than full strength. Gronkowski's high left ankle sprain sustained in the AFC title game could keep him from tacking on yards after catches.

Patriots QB Tom Brady relies on Welker, whose 554 catches since 2007 lead the league, 80 more than second-place Brandon Marshall.

"Wes Welker would make any quarterback better with his ability to get open and catch the ball," Brady said. "He's a very smart player who has a great feel for the game, who has a great feel for how to get open in man-to-man (coverage), where to find the spots in zone, great body language."

Speaking of … : Gronkowski walked without a limp as the Patriots gathered for photographs Saturday. He posed for official team Super Bowl photos and pictures with family members at Lucas Oil Stadium. New England did not practice. Its walkthrough was Friday.

Personnel move: The Patriots released WR Tiquan Underwood, who had three catches in five games. That increases the likelihood of WR Chad Ochocinco being active. Ochocinco was inactive for the AFC title game, which came two days after he attended his father's funeral. DE Alex Silvestro was signed from the practice squad to take Underwood's roster spot.

Final rehearsal: The Giants held a 48-minute walkthrough with everyone in uniform. RB Ahmad Bradshaw, dealing with a sore right foot related to the broken bone that cost him four games, went through all the scripted situations. "He looked fine," coach Tom Coughlin said.

When you wish … : One player will go to Disney World on Monday. The player — not necessarily the official game MVP — also will be featured in the famed "I'm going to Disney World" commercial after the game. Then he will be honored with a parade Monday. Last year Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, also the game MVP, was honored.

Concert injuries: Eleven people were hurt Friday night as an estimated 50,000 people flooded downtown streets for a free outdoor concert by LMFAO. Two were injured separate from the concert-going group. Indianapolis Public Safety Director Frank Straub said none of the injuries were serious — most involved shortness of breath or scraped knees — and were well within the daily average of 10 to 15 injuries reported at the Super Bowl Village last week. Police made 22 arrests Friday night, mostly for public intoxication. One police car was damaged after concert-goers climbed on top of it to get a better view of the stage.

He likes football now

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Times wires
Saturday, February 4, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Lawrence Tynes hated football. Too much hitting, too much pain.

The native of Scotland preferred soccer when he was growing up in Florida, the latest stop for his military family.

Now he's a major figure in football's biggest game.

The Giants kicker plays in his second Super Bowl tonight. It's a big stage for someone who wanted nothing to do with the game as a teenager.

"It's pretty weird how it worked out," Tynes said.

There's no disputing he stumbled onto this path.

Tynes, 33, was born in Greenock, Scotland, where his father, a U.S. Navy officer, met his mother. The family moved to Florida when he was 11, and he attended Milton High.

During his junior year, the football team needed a kicker, and Tynes was a good soccer player. His physical education teacher — and the football team's defensive coordinator — asked him to see how far and straight he could kick a football.

"I said, 'Certainly,' " Tynes said. "So I went out to the baseball field. He throws his keys down in front of where I was going to kick, and he said, 'Kick the ball and pick my keys up,' just to keep my head down."

Tynes kicked the ball long and straight. His friends urged him to join the team, and he made what turned out to be a life-changing decision.

"The only reason I did it was to hang out with my buddies at (football) practice," he said.

Tynes became so good, he became the kicker at Troy (Ala.) University, where he was a teammate of Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora. The Chiefs signed him as a free agent in 2001. That started a pro career that has included stops with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe and Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.

The Chiefs signed Tynes again in 2004, and he played three seasons there before the Giants traded a seventh-round draft pick for him on May 27, 2007.

Tynes immediately became part of Giants lore, kicking a 47-yard field goal in overtime of the NFC title game at Lambeau Field that got them into the Super Bowl that season. The Giants beat the Patriots for the title on Eli Manning's late touchdown pass.

Tynes got them back to the Super Bowl this season with another decisive kick, a 31-yarder in overtime at San Francisco for the NFC title.

He's enjoying his second title-game trip more than the first.

"I really am trying to because the last time, I told my wife, the last one was a blur," he said. "Let's really enjoy this one. I am 33 now and hope to play a lot longer. But you never know when you are going to get back here. I am taking in everything. I have taken a lot more pictures since I have been here."

District girls basketball, 3A-9: St. Petersburg Catholic rallies past Indian Rocks Christian

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By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

SEMINOLE — St. Petersburg Catholic coach Nick Vandewalle didn't panic when his team trailed by 14 points at halftime Saturday in the Class 3A, District 9 final against Indian Rocks Christian. The Barons had trailed plenty at halftime this season.

He just told his team to relax and play tenacious defense in the second half. Did they ever.

St. Petersburg Catholic held IRC to four second-half points (none in the fourth quarter) to storm back for a 50-43 win. It's the first time this season SPC held a team scoreless in a quarter.

The Barons (23-4) will host Bradenton Christian on Thursday in a region quarterfinal. The Golden Eagles will play at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.

"We're kind of a second-half team," Vandewalle said. "And if I was going to pick a half to be a good team, it would be the second."

The Barons weren't bad in the first half, it's just that IRC was better. After trailing by three points to start the second quarter, the Golden Eagles (21-6) went on a 16-2 run to take a 39-25 lead. The run was led by Tori Trador, who made three 3-pointers, and Kristen Scholl, who had 14 first-half points.

The second half was much different. Both teams had trouble scoring in the third, and SPC still trailed by 11 going into the fourth. Then came an 18-0 run for the Barons, who got six 3-pointers from Annie Artise, and several layups and steals from Brittany Dunbar. Artise finished with 21 points, including her 1,000th point at the school, and Dunbar had 16.

"We did just the opposite of what I told them to do at halftime," IRC coach Phil Farver said. "We had two or three girls decide they were going to do it their way, so that's the result. … Our leadership just went out the window."

And a lot of IRC passes went to the Barons.

"We've prided ourselves on defense all year," Vandewalle said. "We try to hold teams to under 40 points, so to give up 39 at halftime was a shock. But we dialed up the pressure in the second half."

Levin lights up record crowd at Phoenix

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Times wires
Saturday, February 4, 2012

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Spencer Levin remained in control in the Phoenix Open in front of the largest crowd in tournament history, shooting 3-under 68 on Saturday to take a six-stroke lead into the final round.

The crowd of 173,210 in perfect conditions at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course bettered the record of 170,802 set in Round 3 in 2008.

"It was fun, for sure, but I was trying to focus, too," Levin said of the huge crowd and party atmosphere. "You don't get that too often, all those people cheering."

Levin, five strokes ahead after the second round finished Saturday morning, had four birdies and a bogey to reach 17-under 196. The bogey on the par-5 15th was his first since the opening hole of the tournament.

"I felt like I played solid," Levin said. "I felt like I was in control of my ball most of the day, and yeah, I'm pleased."

Webb Simpson was 11 under after 68. He's the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 6

"I feel good, but my swing is just not really getting in synch," Simpson said. "I'm missing the ball left and right. I want to polish that up. But I made a bunch of good swings down the stretch that gave me a lot of confidence."

Bubba Watson was seven strokes behind Levin after 67.

"He's playing so good, you don't expect him to come back in the field," Watson said. "You're going to have to go chase him down."

Tour rookie John Huh also was 10 under after shooting 69.

Jason Dufner, second last year after a playoff loss to Mark Wilson, shot 68 to join Kyle Stanley (69), Chris Stroud (66), Greg Chalmers (67) and Ben Crane at 9 under.

Fan favorite Phil Mickelson was 8 under after 67. The former Arizona State star won the tournament in 1996 and 2005.

"I'd like to be further up, but given where I was 27 holes ago, I'm in a really good spot," Mickelson said. "I'm starting to play some good golf, and I'm starting to get a little bit of momentum. I feel great with the putter."

Levin saved par on the amphitheater par-3 16th after leaving his first attempt 5 feet short, holing a tricky sidehill putt. He then birdied the short par-4 17th.

Qatar Masters: Paul Lawrie recovered from a penalty for dropping his ball on a marker to shoot 5-under 67 and take a one-shot lead over Nicolas Colsaerts (68) at Doha. Lawrie, winner of the 1999 British Open, made six birdies for a two-round total of 8-under 136. The tournament has been disrupted by wind, and organizers called off Friday's play and shortened the event to three rounds. Conditions improved Saturday, but it remained windy.

Australian Ladies Masters: So Yeon Ryu, last year's U.S. Open champion, shot 3-under 69 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round at Gold Coast. Ryu had a 54-hole total of 20-under 196. Christel Boeljon (68) was second. Lexi Thompson, 16, of Coral Springs was 11 strokes back after shooting 72.

Sports in Brief

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Orlando Sentinel, Times wires
Saturday, February 4, 2012

College football

West Virginia decides against taking on FSU

TALLAHASSEE — West Virginia on Saturday canceled its game at Florida State scheduled for Sept. 8.

The Mountaineers hope to leave the Big East for the Big 12. (The sides are in mediation.) The Big 12 plays nine conference games, two more than the Big East. So if it plays in the Big 12, West Virginia would have to drop two nonconference games.

"We now face the challenge of completing our 2012 schedule just seven months before the start of the season," FSU athletic director Randy Spetman said. The school might sue if a replacement opponent can't be found, he said.

Because the Mountaineers pulled out less than 12 months before the game, they must pay the Seminoles $500,000. The contract included FSU's trip to West Virginia in 2013. The status of that game is unknown.

The Seminoles are set to play nonconference games next season against Murray State, USF and Florida. They could face a Big East team, which would need an extra nonconference game with West Virginia's exit.

Autos

IRL driver cleared of breaking gate

Police in Bethlehem, Pa., cleared IndyCar driver Marco Andretti of breaking a gate at a parking garage Thursday. Surveillance footage showed he didn't touch the gate. Andretti said the driver behind him broke it after becoming agitated that Andretti was taking so long to pay. The system wasn't accepting cash or credit cards, he said.

Foyt released: Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, 77, left a Houston hospital, where he was treated for complications from knee surgery. He had surgery two weeks ago, and an infection developed.

Et cetera

alpine Skiing: Lindsey Vonn became the sixth skier (third woman) to win 50 World Cup events by taking the downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The American completed two runs in 1 minute, 44.86 seconds, .41 seconds faster than Nadja Kamer.

Tennis: Serena Williams beat Olga Govortsova 7-5, 6-0 and Christina McHale beat Anastasiya Yakimova 6-0, 6-4 to give the United States a 2-0 lead over Belarus in the Fed Cup in Worcester, Mass. Reverse singles and doubles (involving Venus Williams) are today. Australian Open champ Victoria Azarenka, who was set to face McHale, pulled out with a sore back.

Soccer: Zambia (3-0 over host Equatorial Guinea) and Ivory Coast (3-0 over Sudan) reached the African Cup of Nations semis. Ivory Coast plays Gabon or Mali. Zambia plays Ghana or Tunisia. Those games are today.

Orlando Sentinel; Times wires

Battle Hardened wins Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs

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By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Saturday, February 4, 2012

OLDSMAR — Battle Hardened proved to be battle-tested.

A maiden starting in his first stakes, Battle Hardened entered the Kentucky Derby picture with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade III $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes in front of a crowd of 5,344 Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

A 3-year-old colt by 2009-10 North America-leading sire Giant's Causeway, Battle Hardened benefited from a picturesque ride from Julien Leparoux. The Kentucky-bred saved ground along the rail and swung into the middle of the fast track for the stretch run.

Despite being winless in three previous maiden-claiming races, Battle Hardened was made the third wagering choice in the 11-horse field. He paid $11 to win. Prospective was second, a nose in front of Reveron. Ecabroni finished last as the 7-2 favorite behind Holy Highway.

Trainer Eddie Kenneally cross-entered Battle Hardened in a maiden-special weight event Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and didn't decide until Friday to race in the Sam F. Davis.

"On paper, (the Sam F. Davis) looked like a real good bunch of quality horses but no stars," he said. "So we decided to come here and get some of the big money."

Battle Hardened was never far back as State of Play (finished seventh) set fractions of 23.79 and 47.81 seconds through the first half-mile. Entering the stretch, Battle Hardened had moved into second behind Reveron, and he pulled away in the final 50 yards.

The winning time for 1 1/16 miles was 1 minute, 44.58 seconds. Owned by Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, Battle Hardened earned $120,000, surpassing his previous bankroll, $18,855.

"He broke good and put me in the right spot right away," said Leparoux, who rode him for the first time. "I was inside and got lucky I could get out. The horse has a long stride and kept going."

Kenneally liked Battle Hardened's moxie.

"When he was in a group of horses in tight, he had plenty reasons to back out of there if he wanted to," Kenneally said. "He showed a little bit of game and toughness, like you want to see going forward with those going to the bigger races down the road."

The last time Kenneally had a maiden win a graded stakes was 2010 with another Giant's Causeway offspring, Santiva, in the Grade II $165,000 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Oldsmar also kicked off the career of another Kenneally trainee, Bushfire, who won the 2006 Florida Oaks and went on to capture three Grade I races that year: the Ashland at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and the Acorn and Mother Goose at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

"Tampa has been really good to us," he said.

In other stakes, Zagora ($3.80) won the Grade III $150,000 Endeavour under jockey Javier Castellano, and Dixie Strike ($3.60) captured the $150,000 Florida Oaks with former Oldsmar riding champion Jose Lezcano.

The Downs had a season-high all-source wagering handle of $8,180,578 for its 12-race card.


Martin, five others get elected

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Saturday, February 4, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Curtis Martin has gone from the streets of Pittsburgh to the Hall of Fame.

The running back with the Patriots and Jets was one of six players elected Saturday to the shrine. Martin once disliked playing the game but used it to escape a neighborhood where his grandmother was murdered.

"When I get awarded something like the Hall of Fame, it's almost foreign to me," said Martin, the NFL's No. 4 career rusher. "This wasn't something I planned on doing. Football is something I did so I didn't end up jailed or dead."

Also elected were four linemen — Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf and Dermontti Dawson — and cornerback Jack Butler, a senior selection.

A panel of 44 media members voted them in from 17 finalists. Those not making it: Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Ed DeBartolo Jr., Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Bill Parcells, Andre Reed, Will Shields, Dick Stanfel and Aeneas Williams.

Chris Doleman had 1501/2 sacks over 15 seasons.

"I am totally blown away by this and humbled by it," Doleman said. "When they call your name, you're absolutely numb."

Kennedy was a force as a run-stopper and pass-rusher. The 1992 Defensive Player of the Year had 58 sacks, high for a tackle.

"I thought I was supposed to get a call," Kennedy said. "I didn't get a call. I had to watch it on TV. I am very excited right now."

Roaf spent one season at right tackle, then the rest of his career on the left side. He made the all-decade team for the 1990s.

"He possessed exceptional physical talent and a great work ethic," said Jim Mora, his coach with the Saints. "Without question, Willie was one of my best and favorite players ever."

Dawson made seven Pro Bowls as the Steelers center after replacing Hall of Famer Mike Webster.

"I knew I had big shoes to fill," he said. "I never would have thought I would be in this position after my career."

Butler also played for the Steelers, as a cornerback from 1951-59. He picked off 52 passes, second all time when he retired. But he was best known for his tackling.

"They told me I was good. I didn't know I was good," he said.

"I never, ever, ever thought I would be here."

District wrestling, 2A-9: Jesuit reclaims title after last season's bitter defeat

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By David Rice, Times Correspondent
Saturday, February 4, 2012

SEFFNER — After failing to win the district wrestling meet for the first time in a decade last year, Jesuit reclaimed the top spot at the 2A-9 meet hosted by Armwood on Saturday.

Jesuit heavyweight Jack Taylor defeated top-seeded Freddie Guevara from Lennard in the day's final match to put an exclamation point on a performance in which the Tigers scored 209 to runnerup Lennard's 174.

"I'm very proud of this team because they've been working for this since last spring," Jesuit coach Mike Scicchitano said. "After the way we lost last year we've had today circled on the calendar all season. It's a very special day for Jesuit wrestling and to have our heavyweight win that last match made it even more special because he lost in the final match last year."

Host Armwood came away with four champions — Donoven Hough (106 pounds), Taylor Dutrieux (160), Robert Witte (175) and Travis Macon (182) — but was sixth in the standings. Coach C.J. Gittens said that the number of Hawks winners is an indicator of good things to come.

"Our goal was to go to regionals with four wrestlers, and we ended up with that so I'm not disappointed," Gittens said. "We have a lot of young guys, but when you see that we had three guys beat wrestlers from the winning school (Jesuit), I think we'll be really good once we have a full lineup."

A-9: Robinson edged

Wesley Chapel's Thomas Fee (195 pounds), Diego Farchaka (220) and heavyweight Teddy Johnson beat their Robinson foes in the final three matches and the Wildcats edged the host Knights 189.5 to 180.5 to win the Class A, District 9 championship.

Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers add assistant after odd events

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Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Bucs are expected to add several of coach Greg Schiano's assistants at Rutgers to their coaching staff in the coming days, and the first one appears to already be on board.

After a bizarre series of events last week, former Rutgers receivers coach P.J. Fleck is headed to Tampa Bay to coach receivers, ESPN­Chicago.com reported. Fleck, 31, had joined Northern Illinois last week as offensive coordinator, but he resigned Friday, one day after being named.

Fleck coached under Schiano at Rutgers for the past two seasons. Before that, he was receivers coach at Northern Illinois, where he also played receiver.

Other Rutgers assistants are expected to join the Bucs. They include defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley, offensive coordinator/QB coach Frank Cignetti, defensive line coach/defensive coordinator Bob Fraser, and strength coach Jay Butler.

honors: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won the Associated Press NFL MVP award, earning 48 votes. Saints quarterback Drew Brees got the other two votes. The 49ers' Jim Harbaugh was named coach of the year, getting 45 votes. The Packers' Mike McCarthy got three votes, and the Broncos' John Fox got two. Brees (43 votes) is offensive player of the year; Ravens linebacker linebacker Terrell Suggs (21) won defensive honors. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (21) beat out Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson of Seminole for comeback player.

usf assistant leaves for dolphins: USF receivers coach Phil McGeoghan officially was named Miami assistant receivers coach. He said leaving after three seasons "was very, very tough. A very emotional time.''

ex-buc barry to chargers: Joe Barry, a Bucs assistant in 2001-06 and 2009, was hired as San Diego's linebackers coach. He spent the past two seasons as linebackers coach at Southern California.

Times staff writers Rick Stroud and Greg Auman contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

USF Bulls routed 75-45 by No. 14 Georgetown Hoyas

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By Greg Rosenstein, Special to the Times
Saturday, February 4, 2012

WASHINGTON — USF already had the Big East's worst scoring offense. Saturday, the Bulls took it to a new level in a 75-45 loss at No. 14 Georgetown, shooting 31 percent and threatening its record for fewest points in a game.

The Bulls (13-10, 6-4) trailed early, going scoreless for almost 11 minutes during the first half.

"I thought we played horrible in the first half," coach Stan Heath said. "This wasn't our typical team."

It was USF's most lopsided Big East loss; the Bulls had lost by 26 three times. USF's record for fewest points in a game is 36.

Forward/center Augustus Gilchrist was the only Bull in double figures with 15 points. Four Hoyas reached that total.

The Bulls led 5-4 lead after Ron Anderson's layup 4:53 in. USF didn't score again until Gilchrist's 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4:12 left cut Georgetown's lead to 18-8.

In that span, the Bulls turned the ball over on nine consecutive possessions.

"Our carelessness, especially in the first half, put us in that deficit," Gilchrist said. "Turnovers is the name of the game. When we don't take care of the ball, we don't put ourselves in a position to have the possessions to go against a team that scores like Georgetown."

USF had a strong finish to the first half. Tough inside play from Gilchrist and forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, a former King standout, cut the Hoyas' lead to 23-15.

But at the start of the second half, Georgetown (18-4, 8-3) capitalized on turnovers and used quick, sharp passing to go on a 16-4 run.

After a sluggish first half offensively, Georgetown scored 52 second-half points on 65 percent shooting.

"We kind of hoped going into the second half we would be able to turn it up," Anderson said. "We didn't really change too much."

For Heath, the defensive struggles stemmed from lack of scoring.

"We just got real frustrated offensively," Heath said. "The more we couldn't score, the more we got frustrated. Then all of a sudden the avalanche opened up, especially with the back-door scoring and their 3-point shooting."

The Hoyas made 5 of 12 3-pointers. USF, one of the conference's top 3-point teams, made 4-of-19.

The Bulls return home Wednesday to face Pittsburgh. Gilchrist said the lopsided loss hasn't derailed their confidence.

"You got to have a short memory," Gilchrist said. "We know we have other games. We still put ourselves in pretty good position for the rest of the year."

District girls basketball, 5A-8: Gulf tops Pasco for third time this season

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By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

HOLIDAY — Kayla Kivinski and Gulf started slowly Saturday night against Pasco. But when the sophomore star ignited in the third quarter, so did the Buccaneers.

Kivinski scored 14 of her game-high 23 in the third quarter to help Gulf break open the game and earn the Class 5A, District 8 title with a 58-47 victory.

"Kayla's like a microwave," Gulf coach Mike Quarto said. "When Kayla gets hot, she can go off. And tonight she went off."

But it took her a half to get there. Kivinski missed seven of her first eight shots, and Gulf (26-2) shot 29 percent from the field in the first two quarters at Anclote.

Captain Lexy Schulman bailed out the offense with 10 first-half points to help the Bucs build a 26-25 halftime lead and give Kivinski and her teammates time to catch fire.

"We took over," said Kivinski, who scored seven of the first nine points of the third period on a putback, two free throws and the first of her three 3-pointers.

That outburst, and four Pasco turnovers in the first 2 minutes, 52 seconds of the second half, sparked a 13-2 Gulf run that propelled the Bucs to their third consecutive district title.

"We came out and slammed the door early in the third," Quarto said.

Defense also played a key role in Gulf's game-breaking third quarter. The Bucs held Pasco (24-3) to 3-for-17 shooting and only seven points.

Gulf center Lyndsey Hetrick contained Pasco post player Ashley Webster, who scored 23 in their previous meeting but mustered only four points Saturday.

Bucs junior Kadejah Huggins-Saunders scored 11 and grabbed 11 rebounds to hand the Pirates their third loss of the season. All of their defeats have come against Gulf.

Allahon Marbra led Pasco with 16 points, while Brianca Roberts (13) and Aaliyah McKenzie (10) also scored in double figures.

The Bucs will host this week's region quarterfinal game against Tavares, while Pasco will be on the road for its first trip to region since 2007 against Nature Coast.

5A-7: Nature Coast prevails over Tavares

The Sharks used a 22-point fourth quarter to knock off Tavares 50-35 and claim the Class 5A, District 7 title at Eustis.

Nature Coast (21-3), which will host Pasco in the region quarterfinals, started strong but faded in the second and third quarters when the Bulldogs pressed.

But Je'Nel Yore scored eight of her 10 points in the final quarter to help the Sharks pull away.

"It was just a matter of coming up with a couple big buckets," Sharks coach Emily Gore said.

Courtney Crawford dominated with 15 points, 19 rebounds and five assists. Senior point guard Carcy Bossey dished out seven assists and sank 5 of 6 free throws in the final quarter to help seal the victory.

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