By DAN HOEHNE
daniel.hoehne@newssun.com
AVON PARK - In what has been an up and down season for Avon Park basketball, Tuesday night was definitely one that would go in the up column, even if the result was a bit of a downer.
But that's because an 81-73 loss to visiting Tampa Catholic had so many positive signs.
For it was six weeks and 10 games ago that the Devils went on the road to Tampa and were demolished by the Crusaders by a 77-34 margin.
From a 43-point loss to an eight-point difference, one glaring improvement.
Not to mention that it was Avon Park controlling things early, wreaking havoc defensively and getting inside for scores on the other end.
"Our defense works from the paint out," first-year head coach Marty O'Hora said. "We will give up a three any day over letting their bigs get inside."
And it was working, as forays toward the hoop in the half court were defended well and saw Travis Lawton swatting one Will Kenyon lay-up attempt away emphatically.
That defense held Tampa Catholic to just 13 first-quarter points, and helped get the offense going to the tune of 20 for a seven-point margin after one.
The second and third quarters saw the Crusaders begin to heat up from the three-point line, but the Devils stayed with them, getting a flurry of second-quarter points from Gus Owens on a variety of short jumpers, floaters and leaners, with Alfred Brown connecting from downtown as well.
Tampa chipped into the lead, however, and were down one at the half, 36-35, and were able to nudge into the lead after a high-scoring third, 61-60, heading into the final eight minutes.
But that's where the old adage of "you can win by the three, or lose by the three" worked out to the Crusaders advantage.
While the Devils had by now cordoned off the key with a virtual "No Entry" sign, Tampa got hot from long range.
"The problem (with our defense) is when you play a team that is shooting three's like they are layups," O'Hora said. "That second half, I think they only missed one three out of the 10 or 11 they took."
Heating up most was junior guard Isiah Thomas who would connect on six trey's for the night.
"His last few shots never even touched the rim," O'Hora said.
Catching fire like that late, the Crusaders stretched out the slim lead and carried it to the win.
"That was a good game for us," O'Hora noted. "They played smart and together to the very end. But (Tampa) wore us down a little and we got gassed."
Owens lead the Devils with 23 points, Racarus Burley added 16 and Alfred Brown 14.
Avon Park gets back into district action this week with a home game against Mulberry Monday and a trip to Lake Placid Friday.
Friday, January 11, 2013 - www.newssun.com/FRI-1-11-13-APBB