EAGLES DROP TOURNEY OPENER, 53-41Southwest struggled offensively against a taller opponent in a 53-41 loss to Springboro (OH) in the opening round of the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel. The Panthers (7-2), with five players 6' 3" or taller, forced the Eagles (5-6) to shoot from outside. Southwest made five three-pointers in the first quarter and still trailed, 19-15, at the end of the period. The Eagles scored only 6 points in the second quarter, three free throws by David Fanning with 1:51 on the clock and a three-pointer by Thiago Bourroul at the 0:20 mark, to fall behind 27-21 at the intermission. Southwest, which left school at 4:45am to make the 11:20 opening tap, rallied in the third period to take its only lead of the game, 31-29, after an Ivan Fonseca trey. Springboro then took command, outscoring the Eagles, 24-10, over the final 11 minutes of the game. Southwest will play Lakeland Kathleen Friday afternoon at 3:35pm at Carrollwood Day School. Fans can purchase a live stream of games here. |
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