Tim Porson, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

WESLEY CHAPEL — Land O'Lakes held on to beat Wesley Chapel 24-13 Friday night in a defensive battle.

The Gators (4-6 2-5) defense was the first to make a big play. After the offense produced nothing on the first drive, cornerback Eddie Schiffer picked off Jordan Primus' pass at midfield and took it to the house for the 7-0 lead.

The Wildcats (3-7 2-5) answered on the next drive after changing to more of a ground attack when Ty Tanner took it up the right sideline for the 22-yard score.

In the second quarter, Primus threw another interception, with Larenz Scroggins coming up with the ball. Land O'Lakes converted the turnover into points — a 28-yard field goal — and had a three-point lead at the half.

Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Land O'Lakes extended its lead to 10 when Austin McGuire scored on a 1-yard run. With just over two minutes to go in the game, the Wildcats' third quarterback of the night — Xavier Toro — connected with Jose Perez for the 13-yard score.

The Wildcats defense stopped the Gators on a fourth and goal from the 5. Two plays later, the Gators defense collapsed on Toro as he fumbled in the end zone. Darius Wells came up with the ball and the touchdown to seal the win for Land O'Lakes.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 9, 2012

V

TAMPA

incent Jackson was an Army brat and learned to become a one-man battalion, keeping to himself as he moved with his family across the nation and around the world before settling in Colorado Springs, Colo., just shy of his teens. • It's the same approach the 6-foot-5, 230-pound receiver has taken in his first season with the Bucs: gifted on the field and personable enough off it to command respect. • "I was used to moving around, having to be the new kid in school," said Jackson, whose father was a medic and retired after 21 years as a staff sergeant.

"So coming here, I knew to just keep quiet, do your job, go about your business the right way and you'll earn your respect through your actions.

"I wasn't coming in here to be rah-rah and look-at-me. I earn my respect by doing my work. That's the way I was raised. You don't have to be noticed all the time. I don't need all the attention on me. For me, it's about team first."

However, as one of the NFL's elite receivers, Jackson draws plenty of attention from defenders. And today, he knows there will be an increased focus as the Bucs meet the Chargers, for whom he spent the past seven seasons.

Since signing a five-year, $55.55 million contract with the Bucs as a free agent in March, Jackson hasn't looked back. At 29, he also has never played better.

Voted a captain after only a few months with his new team, Jackson has helped change the fortunes of the Bucs. They have improved to 4-4 by winning three of their past four a season after losing 10 straight to finish 4-12. He has a league-high and career-best 22.9 yards per catch, 31 for 710 yards and six touchdowns.

It's the kind of production the Chargers are missing. A season after finishing sixth in total offense (393.1 yards per game) and sixth in passing (276.1), they are 26th (323.2) and 22nd (217.3), respectively.

While general manager A.J. Smith was busy locking up core players such as quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates, Jackson produced 1,000-yard seasons in three of his final four seasons in San Diego.

The exception came in 2010. During the uncapped season, Jackson held out for more money but was forced to play the final five games at a reduced tender. San Diego prevented him from leaving afterward by designating him its franchise player.

"Looking at the schedule earlier in the year, I thought there might be (extra emotion playing the Chargers)," said Jackson, who was San Diego's second-pick in 2005 out of Northern Colorado. "I was curious about how I was going to feel. But it really hasn't changed.

"I've approached this week the same way, looking at them on film. I'm not really seeing faces as far as guys I used to play with. I'm really seeing numbers and trying to break them down as far as what their defensive tendencies have been because they've got a lot of new faces over there."

Perhaps nobody knows what the Chargers lost more than coach Norv Turner, who is back on the hot seat after a 4-4 start.

"I appreciate Vincent more than most; obviously, the big plays he's able to make," he said. "Big plays turn into points, and there's a lot of things that go along other than points. It opens up the field for a lot of other guys when you have a player like Vincent."

Jackson's presence has spearheaded the surge of the Bucs offense. Receiver Mike Williams, who has benefited from coverage rotating toward Jackson, has returned to his rookie form with five touchdowns and 17.4 yards per catch (fifth in the league).

Josh Freeman is white hot, having thrown 11 touchdowns and one interception over his past four games. And with teams increasingly playing two-deep safeties to stop Jackson, rookie Doug Martin has emerged as the league's third-leading rusher and setting club records with 251 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns last week at Oakland.

"I love this game. I have so much fun out there," Jackson said. "And obviously, guys kind of feed off the things that I do. I try to be a professional at all times; make sure if I can bring some guys up around me, get the Mike Williamses and get the Tiquan Underwoods and break down some extra film with them.

"When I get Josh for a moment by himself, talk to him about some coverages and some tendencies and things I think work; just sharing knowledge. We call it being farmers. You can't grow good corn if your neighbors don't grow good corn. I want everybody around me to be successful."

While Jackson still has plenty of friends on the Chargers, he insists he won't pay attention to the faces inside the helmets.

"The most important thing for me is what we do as a team," he said. "I have nothing personal going on with those guys. I'm a Tampa Bay Buccaneer now. That's been my focus, and it's about us getting a win. That's the only thing that matters to me."

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — In the future, Alex Hall will talk about his first stakes final. He was a teenager, less than four months on the job, and advanced two pups into the championship race.

The final chapter to that story will unfold tonight in the $20,000 Fall Juvenile Stakes at Derby Lane, where Hall starts Red Oak Racing kennel's Flying Observer and Flying Soriano in the 550-yard race (Race 8, 9:33 p.m.).

At 19, Hall is the youngest of Derby Lane's 16 kennel managers and trainers, a dual position he accepted July 13 from Red Oak manager Robert Lambert.

"I'm very blessed," Hall said. "I think a lot of people doubted me having a whole kennel to run by myself, but I showed up and rose to the occasion.

"I'm very pleased with the way this has turned out the last couple months."

The post draw wasn't kind to Hall: Flying Soriano starts from the No. 5 box and Flying Observer from No. 6.

But both dogs, owned by Vince Berland of Abilene, Kan., overcame tough times early in their careers and earned spots in their first finales. Flying Observer, who lost her first nine lifetime starts, won her first two Fall Juvenile qualifiers. Flying Soriano carried a 12-race losing streak into the event, but won two of his first three qualifying tests.

"Observer either gives it a really exploding effort to the get to the lead or she doesn't get out (of the box)," Hall said. "When she doesn't get out toward the lead, she gets banged around real hard because she's a 61-pound female. She's actually got a lot of bottom to her, which makes her such an explosive pup.

"Soriano's slump was my biggest concern going into the stakes. But he had almost double the starts (42) over a lot of other pups (entered). That's when you really have to take more experience. Plus, he's shown a lot of nice lines in Grade A."

Red Oak is the only kennel with multiple entries. Other starters from the rail: Switzler Hubble (Patriot kennel), Declan's Stone (D'Arcy), qualifying leader Lily Rose (Floyd & Porter), Kb's Epic Win (Cal Holland), Intentionally (Lester Raines) and Flying Dimarco (McAllister). First place pays $9,000.

Hall started with Red Oak as an assistant. His three-person staff cares for 62 dogs. Hall is the son of former Patriot manager-trainer Victor Hall, who led the operation to a Derby Lane win title in 2010. The elder Hall is no longer involved in the industry and lives in Connecticut.

"I really came into the dog business when I was 16 and took a helper's job with my dad," Alex said. "He taught me everything I know."

VETERANS DAY CARD: Derby Lane has a 15-race matinee performance Monday. There will be no live racing that night, but the track will remain open for poker and simulcast wagering.

HORSES: Tampa Bay Downs opened its barn area this week. The Oldsmar meet begins Dec. 1.

David Rice, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

TAMPA — Steinbrenner evened its record at 5-5 thanks to a three-touchdown performance from senior Kendall Pearcey.

Pearcey returned the opening kick 80 yards to the Middleton 10, but the Tigers (2-9) blocked a field goal attempt and later kicked one themselves to lead 3-0.

Pearcey's 74-yard dash on the next drive gave the Warriors a 7-3 lead. He added two 2-yard runs and finished with 105 yards.

"That win meant everything to me," he said. "The touchdowns don't mean much other than stats and it looks good to colleges … but I wanted to go out with a win. I feel like I've been with this program since I was just a baby."

"This group of seniors is the first group to go through the program for four years so it was very important to us to give them a win," coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo said.

David Rice, Times correspondent

Times wires
Friday, November 9, 2012

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee's first game of the post-Pat Summitt era revealed in stunning fashion how much has changed for one of the signature programs in women's basketball.

Taylor Hall had 24 points Friday as Chattanooga stunned No. 20 Tennessee 80-71 in the Vols' first game under Holly Warlick, who spent 27 seasons as an assistant on Summitt's staff.

"I think we were a little anxious, sure," Warlick said. "We're young. A new coach. We're playing in a hostile environment. But what it comes down to is you've got to take care of business. We didn't."

Chattanooga never trailed in the second half and beat Tennessee for the first time since Jan. 26, 1973. The Mocs had lost the previous 19 meetings.

NO. 1 BAYLOR 80, LAMAR 34: Brittney Griner had 24 points in 18 minutes, her 81st consecutive double-figure scoring game, as the host Bears opened defense of their national title with their 41st consecutive victory.

NO. 4 STANFORD 72, FRESNO ST. 61: Chiney Ogwumike had 23 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots for the host Cardinal to spoil the debut of new Bulldogs coach Raegan Pebley.

NO. 5 MARYLAND 88, Mount ST. MARY'S 47: Tianna Hawkins had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Alicia DeVaughn contributed 15 points and 11 boards as the host Terrapins cruised past their crosstown foe.

NO. 7 NOTRE DAME 57, NO. 19 OHIO ST. 51: Natalie Achonwa had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Fighting Irish at the Carrier Classic aboard the USS Yorktown outside of Charleston, S.C.

NO. 9 LOUISVILLE 47, NO. 15 TEXAS A&M 45: Jude Schimmel, a sophomore guard, stepped in front of Courtney Walker's inbounds pass at midcourt for a steal and converted a layup with 24 seconds left for the host Cardinals. "I knew they were trying to get something there, so I just focused on that," Schimmel said.

TEXAS 70, NO. 14 ST. JOHN'S 60: Nneka Enemkpali scored a career-high 25 and Chassidy Fussell scored 23 to lead the Longhorns at the WBI Tip Off Invitational game in Daytona Beach. Enemkpali, a sophomore forward, also had 12 rebounds.

NO. 17 W. VA. 76, UNC WILM. 47: Christal Caldwell scored 21 and Ayana Dunning recorded a double double for host West Virginia in the opener for both teams.

NO. 18 NEB. 68, N.C. A&T 50: Lindsey Moore scored 15 and Hailie Sample and Brandi Jeffery added 10 each for the host Cornhuskers in the opener for both teams.

NO. 23 OKLAHOMA ST. 90, CAL POLY 59: Toni Young had 20 points and 10 rebounds and led six players scoring in double figures for host Oklahoma State.

NO. 25 DEPAUL 87, NICHOLLS ST. 57: Brittany Hrynko scored 18 for the host Blue Demons in their opener.

MISSISSIPPI: The program self-imposed a postseason ban for this season after coach Adrian Wiggins and two assistants were dismissed on Oct. 20. Wiggins, Kenya Landers and Michael Landers were fired after a school investigation found academic and recruiting misconduct. Two players were also ineligible.

State: Florida wins its opener easily

GAINESVILLE — Sydney Moss, in her debut, had nine points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as Florida defeated Fairfield 71-49 in its opener.

Junior Vicky McIntyre and sophomore Kayla Lewis had 12 points each to lead the Gators. Moss also led all players with 10 rebounds.

"I think we learned a lot about ourselves tonight, and it was really important," Florida coach Amanda Butler said.

NO. 24 MIAMI 77, N. FLORIDA 24: The Hurricanes got 19 points from Michelle Woods and 17 from Morgan Stroman as they broke the school record for fewest points allowed against an NCAA opponent. Miami allowed 26 to Bethune-Cookman on Jan. 25, 1990. UM also extended its home winning streak to 41.

Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

TAMPA — Doing basically prep work for its playoff opener next week against Osceola, Hillsborough rolled up 300-plus yards of offense and played solid defense. It won despite almost 100 yards of penalties and three touchdowns called back due to them.

Dwayne Lawson went 11-of-18 for 169 yards and a touchdown as the Terriers ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak.

Jeremiah Green opened the scoring for Hillsborough, catching a 58-yard pass from Lawson in the first quarter. Green later scored on a 49-yard punt return, and Robert Wilson scored on a 12-yard run.

Chamberlain's top rusher, Xavier Johnson, left in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Its other top threat, Dakarai Highsmith, left in the third with an undisclosed injury and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. His condition was not known.

Rod Gipson, Times correspondent

Times wires
Friday, November 9, 2012

TRUCKS:

NHRA:

Steve Lee, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

ZEPHYRHILLS — Four days after losing out on a playoff spot in a three-way tiebreaker won by Anclote, Zephyrhills found itself on the short end of a 17-14 score against winless Wiregrass Ranch midway through the fourth quarter Friday.

A late rally, however, capped senior night and gave the Bulldogs a 23-17 comeback win and a second straight 6-4 record while the Bulls finished 0-10 a second straight season.

Aside from coming up short in its playoff bid, Zephyrhills had two players ruled ineligible for the past two games and saw its principal resign amid a sexual harassment scandal.

"It's obvious that all the distractions took it out of this football team, but they showed some character in finding a way to win," coach Reggie Roberts said. "My seniors leave here with a win."

With time running out, Zephyrhills got a 30-yard run from backup running back Lorine Parker that set up Mike Smith's 16-yard touchdown pass to Devon Brockington. The Bulldogs clinched it when Wiregrass quarterback Shane Bucenell was called for intentional grounding while scrambling in the end zone after a snap from center sailed over his head.

Brockington, getting extensive playing time due to starting running back Willie Williams' ankle injury, rushed for a game-high 125 yards and had all three of his team's touchdowns. He scored on runs of 1 and 20 yards to stake the Bulldogs to a 14-10 halftime lead.

Bucenell passed for 109 yards and two touchdowns. His 4-yard scoring strike to James Jackson gave the Bulls a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, and his 15-yard slant-in to Mark Hutchinson in the third quarter resulted in a 17-14 lead.

Bulls kicker Bryce Wilson booted a 41-yarder in the first half, had a 44-yard attempt blocked by Devon Long and missed wide left on a bid from 42 yards out.

Travis Puterbaugh, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

DURANT — Durant made history with a 31-0 victory over King as the Cougars improved to 10-0 and posted their first undefeated regular season in school history.

"Something we've never done here," coach Mike Gottman said. "I got chills talking about it and now doing something no Durant team has done before this."

The Cougars posted their fourth shutout this season and their seventh game in which they held the opponent to fewer than 10 points.

Durant recorded four sacks and intercepted Alexander Frederick to set up their first touchdown, a 17-yard pass from Trey Vandergrift to Reggie Gainer.

In the opening round of the playoffs, Durant hosts Tampa Bay Tech, which has scored 192 in their last five games.

"We'll be ready," Gottman said.

Travis Puterbaugh, Times correspondent

Times wires
Friday, November 9, 2012

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers fired coach Mike Brown on Friday after a 1-4 start to his second season in charge.

General manager Mitch Kupchak announced the surprising move several hours before the Lakers hosted Golden State. Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff coached against the Warriors as the club's top brass began searching for Brown's replacement 18 months after hiring him.

"The bottom line is that the team is not winning at the pace we expected this team to win, and we didn't see improvement," Kupchak said.

Los Angeles began with title expectations after trading for center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash in the offseason to play alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. But the Lakers went 0-8 during the preseason and started the regular season 0-3. The defense has been largely poor, and the players still haven't figured out the offense installed by Brown during training camp.

Combined with their aging core of talent and a massive payroll, Kupchak and owners Jim and Jerry Buss decided they couldn't wait.

"We're not looking five or 10 years down the road," Kupchak said. "This team was built to contend this year. There's no guarantee that this team can win a championship, but we feel that it can be deeply in the hunt."

Brown was hired in May 2011 to replace Phil Jackson, signing a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million.

"It's a pretty direct message to all of us," Gasol said. "There's no messing around."

Kupchak did nothing to squelch speculation Jackson, 67, could return for a third tenure with the Lakers. He said he hadn't reached out to any candidates for the job but believed the Lakers likely would hire an experienced coach who isn't currently working.

"When there's a coach like Phil Jackson, one of the all-time greats, and he's not coaching, I think you would be negligent not to know that he's out there," Kupchak said.

Joseph Kornecki III, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

HUDSON — Citrus scored 42 first-half points to rout Fivay 49-0 Friday night in the regular season finale.

Senior Darius Chapes had four touchdowns in the first half — three of which were rushing.

Chapes added a spectacular 45-yard touchdown reception off a screen pass in the flat and broke a handful of tackles along the way. The 'Canes (6-4) racked up 320 total yards of offense in the game.

"Citrus is a pretty good football team," Falcons coach Chris Taylor said. "Things didn't work out this season, and we'll get ready for next year. We'll put in the hard work and learn to put games away."

The Citrus defense was fast and physical all night, holding Fivay to 181 total yards, including 88 yards rushing.

The bright spots for Fivay (6-4) were senior receiver Andrew Meyer, who had an 85 reception yards on the night, and senior linebacker Christian Breviario had two sacks in the fourth quarter.

Joseph Kornecki III, Times correspondent

TAMPA — Doing basically prep work for its playoff opener next week against Osceola, Hillsborough rolled up 300-plus yards of offense and played solid defense. It won despite almost 100 yards of penalties and three touchdowns called back due to them.

Dwayne Lawson went 11-of-18 for 169 yards and a touchdown as the Terriers ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak.

Jeremiah Green opened the scoring for Hillsborough, catching a 58-yard pass from Lawson in the first quarter. Green later scored on a 49-yard punt return, and Robert Wilson scored on a 12-yard run.

Chamberlain's top rusher, Xavier Johnson, left in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Its other top threat, Dakarai Highsmith, left in the third with an undisclosed injury and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. His condition was not known.

Rod Gipson, Times correspondent

Cha Hil

Total yards 151 343

First downs 6 11

Rushes/Yds 31/136 27/174

Comp/Atts 3/8 11/18

Pass yards 15 169

Punt yards 97 64

Punting Average 32.33 32.0

Fumbles/Lost 2/1 0/0

Hillsborough 8 14 0 7— 29

Chamberlain 0 0 7 0— 7

Hil -- Green 58 pass from Lawson (pass Hammond from Lawson)

Hil -- Wilson 12 run (Sato kick)

Hil -- Green 49 punt return. (Sato kick)

Cha -- Davis 11 pass from Scott (Shidler kick)

Hil -- Gunn 4 run (Sato kick)

Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

NEW PORT RICHEY — As Nate Binder's 37-yard field-goal attempt drifted a couple feet wide right, the River Ridge players on the field and on the sideline jumped up and down.

The Royal Knights had secured a 7-6 win over Hudson as time expired. For much of the season, the Royal Knights haven't had much reason to rejoice.

With only two wins under its belt, River Ridge (3-7) was wrapping up a disappointing campaign Friday night at home, and the last thing the seniors wanted to was another defeat.

Hudson (3-7) provided the Royal Knights with all it could handle. While River Ridge quarterback Josh Maisel was able to able to hit Chris Aldrich for an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give his squad a quick lead, the Cobras stopped the bleeding there.

"We had some bright spots offensively, but we weren't as efficient as we wanted to be," River Ridge coach Ryan Benjamin said. "You have to give a lot of credit for that to the Hudson defense."

Maisel, who was 7-of-19 for 88 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, also ran the well with 14 carries for 52 yards, accounting for 140 of the 188 total yards of his team's offense. The senior finished his stellar prep career with 2,544 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, and 956 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.

"When the season started we expected to make a deep run into the playoffs," Maisel said, "but it's real nice to end things with these guys and this team with a win."

The Cobras' rushing attack wore down the River Ridge defensive front in the second half, but turnovers, including two fumbles, stalled the offense. Eventually, Justyn Johnson plunged in from 5 yards to score for Hudson in the fourth.

The extra point was blocked by Jordan Harris, who also recorded a sack and blocked punt, to maintain the 7-6 advantage. A stop by Hudson gave the Cobras one final shot with two minutes remaining. Solid rushing by Hudson quarterback Owen Derksen (15 carries, career-high 101 yards) got the team in field-goal range.

"It took us until the second half to get anything going," Hudson coach Mark Kantor said. "Once we got outside and put the ball in (Derksen's) hands, he began to make some plays."

Binder, who has been good this season, had plenty of leg behind the kick, but it drifted right to secure the River Ridge victory as time expired.

Times wires
Friday, November 9, 2012

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Ohio State coach Thad Matta was eager for his fourth-ranked Buckeyes to take the court aboard the USS Yorktown. Though the game was called off, he's certain his players learned plenty.

The season-opening showcase between the Buckeyes and Marquette on the decommissioned vessel was canceled Friday night when officials, coaches and administrators believed condensation made the makeshift court too dangerous to play on.

Still, Matta said he believed the time his team spent listening to current and former military members — eight visited with Buckeyes players and coaches Thursday night, he said — was worth the long, complex trip.

"Yeah, we didn't get to play," Matta said in the carrier's theater. "But the purpose was served."

Earlier, No. 7 Notre Dame defeated No. 19 Ohio State 57-51 in the first women's game played outdoors on a carrier. There were challenges in that one, too — the setting sun for the late-afternoon start had both sides squinting to see — but the court was dry and safe. That wasn't the case once the sun went down.

Ohio State guard Aaron Craft said he knew things would be tricky when he saw a couple of Marquette's players "slide from halfcourt to the 3-point line."

UConn pulls off upset in first post-Calhoun game

Shabazz Napier scored 25 as Connecticut, in Kevin Ollie's first game as coach, upset No. 14 Michigan State 66-62 in the Armed Forces Classic at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Keith Appling scored 17 and Branden Dawson had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans, who lost their opener. Ollie is on a one-year contract. "It's a great win for our school, a great win for our program," said Ollie, 39, who took over after Hall of Famer Jim Calhoun retired in September. "It's a long way to come, but it's worth it if you get the effort." UConn led most of the way and by as many as 16 points in the first half.

NO. 1 INDIANA 97, BRYANT 54: Cody Zeller had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Christian Watford had a career-high 15 rebounds for the Hoosiers (1-0), who announced before the game that coach Tom Crean agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2019-20. Bryant, in Smithfield, R.I., played its first game as a full-time Division I member.

NO. 3 KENTUCKY 72, MARYLAND 69: Junior guard Jarrod Polson had 10 points — three more than he had had in his career at Kentucky — and hit the clinching free throws with 7.7 seconds left for the Wildcats (1-0) in Game 2 of the Barclays Center Classic, the first college games played in the new arena in Brooklyn, N.Y.

NO. 5 MICHIGAN 100, SLIPPERY ROCK 62: Tim Hardaway Jr. had 25 points, passing 1,000 for his career, and freshman Glenn Robinson III had 10 points and eight rebounds for the host Wolverines (1-0).

NO. 6 N.C. STATE 97, MIAMI (OHIO) 59: Richard Howell had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the host Wolfpack, which led by 19 at halftime en route to its 19th straight season-opening victory.

NO. 7 KANSAS 74, SE MISSOURI ST. 55: Ben McLemore had nine points, 12 rebounds and five assists in his Kansas debut as the Jayhawks won their 40th straight opener at Allen Fieldhouse.

NO. 8 DUKE 74, GEORGIA ST. 55: Mason Plumlee had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Seth Curry scored 15 and surprise starter Tyler Thornton had 13 points for host Duke (1-0).

NO. 11 UNC 76, GARDNER-WEBB 59: James Michael McAdoo set career highs with 26 points and 14 rebounds for the host Tar Heels, who improved to 91-12 in openers.

NO. 16 CREIGHTON 71, N. TEXAS 51: Doug McDermott had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the host Bluejays (1-0), who led 39-25 at halftime and opened the second half on a 14-5 run.

NO. 19 BAYLOR 99, LEHIGH 77: Touted freshman center Isaiah Austin scored 22 points in 17 minutes before spraining his right ankle for the host Bears in their opener.

NO. 21 GONZAGA 103, SO. UTAH 65: Przemek Karnowski, a touted 7-foot-1 freshman center from Poland, had 22 points in his debut to lead the host Bulldogs in their opener.

TEXAS TECH: Former coach Billy Gillispie kept exceeding NCAA practice limits even after the school reprimanded him for the violation this year. Documents showed the school began reviewing the team's summer practices in early August, weeks before Gillispie resigned Sept. 20 for health concerns.

UCLA: The NCAA ruled freshman Shabazz Muhammad ineligible for violating amateurism rules. The No. 13 Bruins opened their season late Friday against Indiana State.

USC: Omar Oraby had his hardship waiver approved by the NCAA, making him eligible to play in the Trojans' opener late Friday at home against Coppin State. The 7-foot-2 center from Egypt transferred in September after two seasons at Rice.

State

Miami 87, Stetson 79: Reggie Johnson had 22 points — he was 10-of-14 from the free-throw line — and 11 rebounds for the host Hurricanes, who rallied in their opener after trailing almost the entire first half.

HOUSTON 81, FAMU 76: Jamie Adams and Reggie Lewis scored 18 each for the visiting Rattlers, who were within 77-76 with under a minute to go in their opener.

ST. BONAVENTURE 65, B-CU 55: Demitrius Conger had 12 points and seven rebounds for the host Bonnies. Bethune-Cookman was within 55-49 with 2:25 to play before it allowed a 6-0 run.

Anthony Salveggi, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

GULFPORT — Boca Ciega scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to get past Seminole 20-6 and reach 5-5 record for the season.

"I'm proud of these guys," coach Antez Brinson said. "I'm happy for them to go out the right way."

The Pirates led 6-0 in the first quarter on Fortune Gamble's 1-yard run, which capped an eight-play drive. Gamble finished the game with 77 yards on 12 carries.

Seminole (2-8) quickly tied it on Ra'Quanne Dickens' 70-yard run.

The game remained tied until Pirates QB Caleb McCullough capped a 74-yard drive with a 6-yard scoring run. McCullough, the team's sixth quarterback for the season, finished with 112 yards.

Noah Weller completed a pass and the Warhawks flipped the ball to try to keep the play alive, but Boca Ciega's Amari Mount ran in a fumble at the 2.

Anthony Salveggi, Times correspondent

Times wires
Friday, November 9, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — South Alabama earned its first victory over a Top 25 team in three seasons behind a stunning 3-point shooting night.

Antoine Allen hit four 3-pointers and scored 21 to lead South Alabama to a 76-71 season-opening upset of No. 25 Florida State on Friday.

Augustine Rubit added 12 points, and Mychal Ammons had 11 points and 11 rebounds for South Alabama, which shot 9-of-15 from 3-point range.

"They're a very good team," Allen said of the Seminoles, "but we weren't scared at all. We were ready for the challenge. We gave it our all for 40 minutes, and we came out with the win."

The Seminoles had won 10 straight season openers going into Friday's game, every game since coach Leonard Hamilton arrived on campus.

But Florida State struggled late in shooting 10-of-28 from the floor in the second half (35.7 percent). The Seminoles also had 17 turnovers and just nine assists.

"They were a little tougher than we were," Hamilton said of the Jaguars. "They played with a lot more maturity. They executed their game plan better than we did."

South Alabama coach Ronnie Arrow credited a summer trip to Canada that gave the team extra practices and exhibition games. Five Jaguars scored in double figures.

Terry Whisnant and Montay Brandon had 11 points apiece for FSU, the defending ACC Tournament champion. Senior guard Michael Snaer had 10 points at halftime but was held scoreless in the second half. He shot 2-of-11 in the game.

Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

TAMPA — Sickles beat Alonso by a foot — the right foot of junior Daniel Lezotte. In a thriller that featured three lead changes in the final 124 seconds, Lezotte kicked a 43-yard field goal with three seconds left to lift the Gryphons.

"I had a whole bunch of adrenaline," Lezotte said of his first career winner. "I couldn't have done it without my team. They put 28 points up on the board before I kicked that field goal."

Alonso took a 29-28 lead with 45 seconds left on Brandon Hawkins' 3-yard run. Gage Fox kicked a 35-yard extra point after an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. One series earlier, Sickles snapped a 22-22 tie on Tony Valdez's 1-yard run. A mishandled snap spoiled the extra point.

Ray Ray McCloud ran for two touchdowns and 184 of Sickles' 345 yards on 21 carries.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent

Samuel Henninger, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

DADE CITY — Senior-laden Pasco (10-0, 7-0) overpowered Delray Beach Village Academy with its physical style of play to win 41-6 Friday. It's the third straight undefeated regular season for the Pirates.

Led by Florida Gator commit Joey Ivie, the Pasco defensive line was able to put pressure on Tigers (4-5, 4-1) quarterback Larry Brihm, forcing him to throw four interceptions.

"We came out here and executed perfectly. We still have a little work to do but if we keep playing hard and doing what we're supposed to do at practice, the sky is the limit for us," Ivie said.

Talented senior athlete Janarion Grant was not only a scoring threat on offense, but on defense and special teams.

Grant ran for 81 yards and a touchdown on three attempts. He also caught a 58-yard touchdown from Benjamin Chandler.

On the opening kickoff, Grant ran the kick back for a 95-yard touchdown. In the closing minutes of the second quarter, he got into the end zone for the last time after returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.

"Our team did very good tonight. We did our job and played with discipline. It's going to be hard in the playoffs but we are ready for it," Grant said.

Next week, Pasco (9-0, 7-0) will host the North Marion Colts in the Class 5A region quarterfinals.

Bobby Winsler, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

PLANT CITY — Deon Cain rushed for two touchdowns and passed for one as Tampa Bay Technical (7-3) topped Plant City (4-6) 28-13 on Friday night.

Before the Raiders ever took an offensive snap, Plant City committed two defensive penalties and a false start. But Plant City produced a red-zone defensive stand that forced a Titans to turn the ball over on downs. Tampa Bay Tech turned it over on the next drive by muffing a punt.

Cain, who scored on runs of 3 and 6 yards, found Richard Benjamin for an 80-yard touchdown as the first half came to a close.

The special teams bounced back in the third quarter as Tajee Fullwood returned a kickoff 83 yards for a score.

Nick Rodriguez threw two 10-yard TD passes for Plant City.

Bobby Winsler, Times correspondent

Michael Paonessa, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 9, 2012

DOVER — Strawberry Crest defeated East Bay 29-14 Friday.

After an early first-quarter deficit, Strawberry Crest (4-6, 2-5) quarterback Tristan Hyde connected with Arjay Smith on a 1- yard TD on fourth down tying the score minutes before halftime. The score stood at 14-all entering the fourth but the Chargers took control when it mattered most.

Behind an aggressive defensive attack that caused a safety and two rushing TDs by Chris Perez, Strawberry Crest walked away victorious on senior night. As Perez finished the outing with 129 yards and two TDs, coach John Kelly celebrated a win and the birth of his third child.

"I only saw the second half because of the birth of my first son," said Kelly. "Our seniors have been faced with a lot of adversity and it's great for them to end their career on a positive note."

Michael Paonessa, Times correspondent

Todd Foley, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 10, 2012

TAMPA — Jefferson tends to save its best for last. In the final game of the season, the Dragons (6-4) played their best game on both sides of the ball demolishing Brandon (1-9) 41-0 Friday.

It was the second year in a row Jefferson ended its regular season with a big win over Brandon.

But unfortunately for coach Jeremy Earle and the Dragons, the season again ended with the team not making it to the playoffs.

"We know what we have with this team and we showed it tonight," Earle said. "We definitely have playoff talent, but the cards didn't fall our way this year. We have a lot of talented guys coming back and we will build off of that."

Senior Shaquille Speights ended his career with a couple of scores and more than 100 yards while Deiondre Porter also was big with four touchdown passes.

Todd Foley, Times correspondent