District boys basketball: Nature Coast takes first step toward goal with 5A-7 crown
Fri. February 10, 2012 | Matt Baker | Email
BROOKSVILLE — Before Nature Coast hoisted its district championship trophy and posed for pictures after Friday’s 60-46 win over Eustis, senior Tyler Bergantino turned to his bench.
“This doesn’t mean a thing,” the UMass recruit said. “Next week is the big deal.”
And the weeks after that, if the Sharks (26-1) hope to make another run to the elite eight. But a convincing win over the Panthers was a good start.
NCT never trailed in the Class 5A, District 7 final, forcing nine first-quarter turnovers and jumping out to a 13-2 lead on Eustis (23-4). Sophomore Rohan Blackwood was an early spark, scoring all nine of his points in the first half.
“We knew coming in if we didn’t start out hot or come out with intensity, we were in for a long game,” Sharks coach David Pisarcik said.
The Panthers made it interesting late. Eustis cut the lead to six with a basket by junior Anthony Allen midway through the fourth quarter, but Nature Coast wouldn’t let the gap close.
Senior guard Donovan Ingram answered with a layup, and captain Blake Lowman drained a 3-pointer from the corner to secure the Sharks’ second district title in three years.
“We’re happy,” said Bergantino, who finished with a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds, “but we’re not satisfied.”
Bergantino got plenty of help with four teammates scoring at least nine points. Ingram finished with 11, and Lowman and John Parker had 10 each.
The win avenges two earlier defeats. Eustis handed NCT its only loss of the season in December, and the Sharks were able to savor a district title on their homecourt after losing to Wiregrass Ranch in the championship game last year.
“That makes this that much better,” Ingram said.
Nature Coast will host the loser of tonight’s Hudson-Wesley Chapel game on Thursday in the region quarterfinals. The winner of the Cobras-Wildcats showdown will host Eustis.
Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.
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