Tigers rally past Pirates in semis

EAST MANATEE — The Palmetto boys basketball team broke from the huddle smiling from ear-to-ear.

The Tigers had just polished off a fourth-quarter comeback against a familiar foe.

Behind a timely defensive switch, lights-out shooting and a desperation heave that found air, Palmetto downed host Braden River 58-56 in Wednesday’s Class 4A-District 10 semifinals for the third straight year.

The Tigers (16-6) trailed the Pirates by seven entering the final quarter.

However, they turned it around with stellar shooting from the field — 60 percent in the fourth — while limiting Braden River to just three field goals in the quarter.

Palmetto senior Reggie Baity scored 8 of the Tigers’ 20 points in the period, including a three with 4:49 left that gave the visitors their first lead.

Baity & Co. preserved that lead with a 6-for-9 free throw performance in the final 1:17.

“I told Reggie that he’s got to pick it up,” Palmetto coach Wilmore Fowler said.

Baity did it with 21 points by either slashing to the rim, drilling treys or settling for a mid-range jumper.

“The only thing I (tried to) do was keep a smart head,” he said. “When I keep a smart head, I trust my teammates as my teammates trust in me. ... When they put the trust in me, that gives me the ability to take over the game.”

Meanwhile, Braden River (16-9) went cold.

The Pirates built the 7-point cushion behind Casey Bobelis’ dominating play in the first half.

The 6-foot-7 senior torched the Tigers for 18 of his game-high 26 points in the first two quarters.

Then Palmetto adjusted its defense on Bobelis.

They constantly changed from man-to-man looks to a 2-3 zone, and in the process took away some of Bobelis’ post moves.

“In the first half, our strategy was to see what his game plan was,” Baity said. “In the second half, we came out, so when he spins the guards will come out faster and steal the ball.”

However, the Pirates still had a last-gasp effort to win it.

Jamie Rico, a senior, made the game 58-56 with 3.1 seconds remaining.

“All we had to do was hold the ball,” Fowler said.

The Tigers didn’t, turning it over and giving Braden River one last chance.

But Rico’s contested shot from well beyond the arc found air and gave Palmetto its third victory over the Pirates in as many seasons in the district tournament.

Braden River coach Matt Nesser said the team set a record for wins in a season, which gives them a promising future.

“We’ve got a decent foundation, hopefully we can build,” Nesser said. “But it’s going to be tough to lose seven seniors with experience.”

Palmetto’s victory means a return trip to the state playoffs and the district finals against St. Petersburg Lakewood at 7 p.m. Friday.