Pinellas Park Patriots off to a good start in hoops play
By LEE DIEKEMPER
Article published on Friday, Dec. 22, 2006  |
PINELLAS PARK – There’s no denying that in north Pinellas County when it comes to boys basketball, Clearwater and Largo are the 500 pound gorillas of the sport. Both schools have long histories of success, state tournament appearances and state championships.
But if Pinellas Park basketball Coach Allen Carden has anything to say about it, the Patriots may come crashing in on the Clearwater-Largo party.
The Patriots are led by 6'5" forward Jesse Woods who Carden likes to call the team’s “warrior.”
“He is our warrior,” Carden said.
But it will take more than Woods to get past the big two. Could this be the year it happens?
The Patriots are off to a 5-2 start thus far this season. But Carden is quick to point out wanting to beat Clearwater or Largo is easier than doing so.
“They’re always going to be the cream of the district,” Carden said after his Patriots recently beat Countryside. “What we have to hope for is to beat one of them in district play.”
In the playoffs, the top two district teams advance to region play. Rarely is Clearwater and Largo not the top two teams. But upsets can happen, like the year Clearwater was heavily favored with one loss to advance to the state championship, only to lose to East Lake in the district tournament, ending the Tornadoes’ season.
“That’s what we tell the players, that they only need to beat one of those teams in district play, David beating Goliath,” Carden said.
Earlier this season, the Patriots found out such a significant win is within their grasp.
Pinellas Park linked up with Largo and the Patriots were beating the Packers in the fourth quarter. Just when it looked as if the Patriots were about to post a win, Pinellas Park got a virtual slap in the face: Woods’ younger brother Josh Woods. The younger Woods, who plays for Largo, came off the bench for the Packers, raining three-point baskets. He scored 12 points and boosted the Packers to the win.
“I really like our warrior Jesse,” Carden said of his favorite Woods brother. He then joked, “But I’m not so sure about Josh.”
Interestingly, in the loss, Carden said the Patriots played their best.
“Ironically the best game we played all year was a game we lost,” Carden said.
Carden feels the Patriots just might accomplish big things and continue to improve.
He likes how the team plays strong defense, but he noted the Patriots haven’t been able to shoot the ball effectively like the team is capable of.
“We’re off to a good start and I think we have our best basketball ahead of us,” Carden said.
“We’ve been playing good defense and we emphasize that. But you still have to score; you still have to be able to put the ball in the hole.”
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Article published on Friday, Dec. 22, 2006
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