BY ERIKA CORD
News-Sun correspondent
SEBRING - The undermanned Ft. Meade team was just the remedy the Devils needed after a loss to Sebring during the annual three-day Taveniere Tournament held at Sebring High School over Christmas break.
During Avon Park's match against the Miners, the Devils took home a win of 61-13 as the final score.
To start off the game kicking, Avon Park's Gus Owens puts two points on the board easy in the first 10 seconds of the game, followed by Steven Roberts with clean lay-up.
Tyrone Perry took the game to his advantage in the first quarter with lay-ups, steals and jumpers, leaving the score at the end of the first a solid 22-9 Avon Park advantage.
The Devils kept up the hustle in the second quarter with Roberts layin' up some more points.
Perry also put his two cents in with six points in the second.
Tevion Chambers finished the quarter off with a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining on the clock leaving a score of 44-9 at half.
With the clock running due to the 35-point lead throughout the second half, the Devils were able to outscore Ft. Meade 17-4 over a quick final 16 minutes.
"The team we were playing were down a lot of players, but they played hard the entire game, so gotta' give credit to them for that, but we kept really good focus," explained Avon Parks head coach Marty O'Hora. "We need to minimize the turnovers and we missed 15 lay-ups tonight. We really need to relax more and have fun."
"Tonight we rebounded the ball very well, and our effort and attitude was good. The intensity was great as well," O'Hora continued. "We get better every day."
Thursday night was the final game of the opening night, showcasing the biggest match-up of the tournament with the all-too familiar county foes Sebring and Avon Park.
It was the second time the teams have played this season, but the Streaks got a little payback in their home tournament after the Devils topped Sebring by five at the Preseason Classic at Avon Park on Nov. 16.
With both teams being great competition for one another, they played a close game, but Sebring got the upper hand.
Sebring got it rolling early on consecutive baskets by Gary DeMarest, Decaris Jones and Conner Cook.
The Streaks pressing defense caused problems for the Devils, who didn't score their first points until nearly the halfway mark of the opening period.
Cook had a nice three pointer in the first quarter, keeping the point count on the rise and Sebring kept building the lead throughout the first half when it stood at 35-19 at the break.
The second half saw Avon Park clean the turnovers up a bit and the offense get on track to play it pretty much even the rest of the way.
But no ground would be made up as Sebring kept answering back and maintained the lead, even adding a point to it, for a 65-48 final.
The leading scorers from Sebring for the game were Jones with 21 points, followed by Cook and Josh Austin with 11 points apiece.
With the Devil fans a little upset, Sebring came out with a win of 65-48, advancing them to another game.
Sunday, December 30, 2012 - www.newssun.com/SUN-12-30-12-APBB