Archive for December 2005
St Pete Catholic lost for the first time this season losing to Lake Wales 66-63. The Highlanders were too big, very physical, and too athletic in the frontcourt for the Barons. They pounded anybody who came into the paint and were just stronger on the boards.’,'As for Aaron, he scored 27 points tonight on a tough shooting night. Holmes was just 2-8 from behind the arc and 6-21 overall. He did find another way to score however. Showing no fear against the big front line of Lake Wales, Holmes drove the ball in deep constantly drawing foul after foul. That paid off as he was 13-16 from the line.
He added 5 rebounds (3 offensive), 2 assists, one steal, a knockaway, and 2 turnovers.
While his shooting was not on tonight, I was impressed by his dribble penetration and his ability to go strong to the rim against that frontcourt even though they hammered him every time. In previous games I would liken his play to Von Wafer’s. Tonight I would characterize his play as being similar to that of Jason Rich.
In speaking with someone familiar with the team, they commented on his work ethic and as someone who likes to practice. A lot. The words Very coachable were used as well.
By Bill Kristoph
Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you, the ScalpEm.com 2005 All-Time FSU Football Team as voted by YOU the users! Special Thanks to the numerious write in votes that you guys sent in!!! Now get in the message boards and participate!
*= Top Vote Getter in category
Defensive Backs
Deion Sanders *
LeRoy Butler
Terrell Buckley
Tay Cody
Defensive Line
Peter Boulware *
Ron Simmons
Andre Wadsworth
Derrick Alexander
Punter
Rohn Stark *
Punt Returner
Deion Sanders *
Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski *
Kick Returner
Dexter Carter *
Offensive Line
Alex Barron *
Clay Shiver
Tra Thomas
Kevin Long
Brett Williams
Tight End
Zeke Mowatt *
Fullback
William Floyd *
Tailback
Warrick Dunn *
Wide Receiver
Fred Biletnikoff *
Peter Warrick
Ron Sellers
Lawrence Dawsey
Quarterback
Charlie Ward *
So what do you think Seminole fans? Can we go wrong with a lineup like that? Thanks for voting!
The Miami Herald is reporting that Hollywood (FL) Police are investigating an A.J. Nicholson, after allegations were made that the player raped a woman at a Westin area resort.
Nicholson has been sent home by head coach Bobby Bowden for an undisclosed violation of team policy.
St Pete Catholic moved onto the semifinal round with a 66-57 win over Cardinal Gibbons. It was a fairly physical game as Gibbons had some fairly tall and beefy frontcourt players. But not as big as Lake Wales (64-46 winners over Gibbs) the team the Barons will meet next. Four clutch three pointers by PG Noah Cumby were key in the win.
As for Aaron he scored 23 points on 10-22 from the floor. His main offense was the dribble drive and just was 2-5 from three point land (but both were well timed and needed at that moment). He also was 2-2 in FTs. Add to his line 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist, and 3 turnovers.’,'Gibbons had a very tenacious defense and had a man glued on Aaron for much of the game. He found it difficult to beat his man off the dribble for some time. Also 3 fouls in the first half limited his time on the floor a little.
But he stayed aggressive in the second half and did not give his dribble up early in going to the basket even though a few short jumpers were missed.
They like to use him out high on defense as I mentioned yesterday. He causes problems passing between the guards because of his height and leaping ability. Often the ball is stripped inside and they hit him streaking down court quickly for the easy layup (or slam dunk is often the case).
Other than his staying aggressive on offense and finding a way to beat the defense they were throwing at him (ie forcing the defense to foul him), I actually liked his defense tonight. I mentioned the steals already, but he forced Gibbons into a couple of turnovers as well. He didn’t seem to free lance on defense as miuch as last night.
All in all a good win against a little stiffer competition. It will get even stiffer vs Lake Wales. Those post players are agile and active collapsing on any dribble penetration. Very good at changing shots and even better at rebounding the ball. I doubt they will leave him alone behind te arc as well. Should be interesting to see that game if we can make it.
If the Barons get by that they will face either South Cobb (Ga) or Miami Dr. Krop. Both are very good teams.
We got to see Aaron Holmes and St Pete Catholic play tonight in the Hooters Holiday tournament. The Barons remain undefeaated improving to 12-0 after defeating the Osceola Warriors (4-6) 56-43. The Barons basically controlled the game from start to finish having a definate height advantage even though they were not that sharp tonight.
As for Aaron, he was the offense tonight scoring 31 points on 12-23 shooting from the floor, 2-6 three pointers, and 5-10 from the free throw line. Add to that 9 rebounds (3 offensive), 4 steals, 1 blocked shot, and 2 turnovers.
The Warriors tried a man to man defense on him but really wasn’t successful mainly because the man they put on him was at least 5 inches shorter than Aaron. The zone they then played really didn’t do much either as SPC either got the ball inside (often Aaron broke the defense down himself) or a teammate would knock down the three.
Offensively it was a decent game for him even though the three wasn’t dropping. He took a couple of questionable shots in the second half. But he had the highlight basket of the game. Breaking down the court after a teammate’s steal, Aaron finished off the long lob pass with a reverse slam dunk.
He also earlier in the thrid quarter crashed the boards from the left wing to grab the ball coming off the rim and slam it right back thru. Very athletic play.
Defensively he is so so. He tends to roam the court somewhat aimlessly at times. They seem to use him out high in a sort of a box and one to harass the pass between the two wings. He was involved in a couple of double teams that forced two turnovers. Also he added a steal on the inbound pass and slammed that thru.
His best defensive play was the blocked shot grabbing the ball and before stepping OB bouncing it out of bounds off the opponents leg.
ScalpEm.com wishes you and your family a very Happy Holiday season!
While I don’t usually cover this type of news, I thought it was important to note, in case some of you miss it in the Tallahassee Democrat. Christine Blount, the retired owner of The Sweet Shop passed away at the age of 76. For those of you that didn’t get to experience The Sweet Shop in it’s better days (and many of us didn’t, Blount retired in 1977), it was a great place to have a lunch break, or a study date right next to the south entrance to campus.
Quick update… the Seminole Basketball Team beatup Stetson last night… 75-57. FSU is now 7-1 on the season!
Yeah, we know there is no such thing. However, if there could be some sanity at the NCAA headquarters, it might play out something like this….
The eleven conference champions (USC, Arkansas State, TCU, Boise State, Texas, Tulsa, Georgia, West Virginia, The Florida State University, Penn State and Akron) get automatic bids. The next 5 spots in the tourney of 16 are awarded to the next 5 highest BCS-ranked teams (Miami, Auburn, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon). Seeding the teams by BCS ranking first, and then by common sense, the bracket looks like this:
Bracket 1:
#16 Arkansas State @ #1 USC
#9 Auburn @ #8 Miami
#11 TCU @ #6 Notre Dame
#13 Boise State @ #4 Ohio State
Bracket 2:
#15 Tulsa @ #2 Texas
#10 West Virginia @ #7 Georgia
#12 FSU @ #5 Oregon
#14 Akron @ #3 Penn State
After making a few “minor” tweaks to the computer, the games play out like this:
December 17
USC kills Arkansas State and will face Miami, who beat Auburn on a late field goal. Notre Dame gives up 400 yards passing to TCU but wins and will face Ohio State. The other bracket has Texas roll all over Tulsa for the right to play Georgia, after the Dawgs dismantle the one-dimensional Mountaineers. FSU plays road warrior, beating Oregon by 10, and will face Penn State, who beat Akron by one.
December 24
Ohio State lights up Notre Dame, 38-3, and will face USC after the Trojans beat the Canes by 13. Texas struggles with the Georgia defense, but intercepts Shockley late to hold on to a 4 point win. The win pits them against the Noles, who take JoePa behind the woodshed.
December 31
Orange Bowl - USC has no mercy for Troy Smith and the Buckeyes and win by 24.
Sugar Bowl - FSU spent the purse last week and find Vince Young’s arm more than an adequate weapon, as the Horns win by 17.
January 7
Rose Bowl - Texas cannot score enough early to keep up the Trojan horses and USC wins the National Championship, 38-27.
Just the opinion of myself and a silly computer.
After not having much in the way of game intense situations over the past ten days while the team had final exams, the Florida State Seminoles got a stiff test from the Bowling Green Falcons. In a game that Leonard Hamilton readily admitted the team would not have won last year, the ‘Noles came away with a 71-60 win to improve to 6-1 on the season.
In was a contest of two contrasting styles. FSU’s first option so far this season on offense has been to get out in transition immediately. Running the offense in the half court has been third on that list. Bowling Green on the other hand utilizes a deliberate style of offense. For much of the game Bowling Green did indeed dictate the tempo. ‘,’Previously this season FSU had been able to use the three point shot when faced with a slow down style by their opponent. That would not be the case against the Falcons as the Seminoles shot just 2-14 from behind the arc. That forced FSU to find other ways to create their offense.
Hamilton was quite pleased that his young team found those ways. By patiently attacking the basket and getting to the foul line (21-30) FSU negated the tough night from behind the bonus sphere.
The Seminoles head coach was even more pleased with the number of players that found some way to contribute to the win.
Specifically mentioned was the defensive job Jerel Allen did in the second half on MAC conference leading scorer Martin Samarco. With Samarco already equaling his 19 point average by halftime, Hamilton tried Allen on the 6-2 guard. The move paid off as Samarco did not score again after adding five more points in the first several minutes of the second half..
Hamilton credited the Falcons for taking away some things FSU likes to do, notably the transition game. The Falcons were seldom outraced down the floor setting up quickly in their extended man to man defense.
The Falcon defense also did a good job in holding FSU leading scorer Al Thorton to just nine points. Foul trouble restricted some of Thornton’s game, but the Falcons were quite good at keeping Thornton from breaking down the defense off the dribble, Although struggling from the floor, Thornton made a significant contribution to the win by bringing down 10 boards.
That’s where other Seminoles stepped up to give FSU the win.
Todd Galloway led FSU with 14 points on the strength of 8 of 11 from the free throw line. Galloway’s connected four times in the last half minute to keep the Falcons at bay.
Also in double figures was Alexander Johnson with 12 points along with 11 rebounds and Jason Rich with 10.
At first FSU showed the effects of not playing for the last ten days. Fueled by a mini-spurt of quick baskets off a couple of Falcon turnovers it looked like it might be a rout as the ‘Noles ran out to a 12-0 lead at the 13:05 mark. The Falcons did not score their first points of the game until Samarco hit a jumper at the 12:52 mark.
With FSU holding an 18-7 lead, Hamilton began subbing freely. Looking back after the game Hamilton commented that he probably got away from the starters too quickly as Bowling Green outscored FSU 16-5 over the seven plus minutes.
Bowling Green took its first lead with just over two minutes left in the half, 26-25.
Andrew Wilson’s offensive put back regained the lead for FSU. The teams traded several series of free throws to end the half with FSU out in front 30-28.
Key to that point in the game was three point shooting. FSU was 0-9 from behind the arc while the Falcons were 6-15.
The first six minutes of the second half saw the Falcons still control the tempo. Samarco’s final points of the game gave Bowling Green .a 35-34 lead at the 16:40 mark.
Galloway had a chance to regain the lead after being fouled while taking a three point shot but missed all three charity shots.
After Steven William’s three and a Matt Lefeld layup put the Falcons up 43-40, FSU finally seemed to regain some offensive spark. Wilson started a 6-0 run with a pair of free throws, Isaiah Swann had a highlight one handed slam dunk followed by Diego Romero’s slam to give FSU the lead back at 46-40 with just under 13 minutes to play.
William’s put up a prayer from five feet behind the arc to tie it at 46. That would be as close as the Falcons would get.
Wilson nailed the first three pointer of the game for FSU and Swann made two great assists on to Romero back to back plays. Galloway caused a Bowling Green turnover giving Rich the opportunity to finish the fast break with a dunk of his own.
FSU now led 55-49 with 7:05 to play.
Johnson dug the hole a little deeper for the Falcons scoring FSU’s next six points when he hit one of two free throws, nailed a three pointer, and finished off his offensive flourish with a dribble drive layup.
Rich followed that with two from the line giving FSU a 63-52 lead with 52 seconds left.
With the Falcons forced to foul, Galloway made sure there would be no miracle comeback when he stepped to the charity stripe.
Just for emphasis, Rich and Thornton each added back to back dunks in the last seconds for the final points of the game.
Essential in the win was FSU making adjustments and executing them in the second half. After shooting just 38%, the ‘Noles worked the ball well in the half court and created scoring chances from fast break opportunities when they could. Blistering the nets at a torrid 57% in the second half FSU shot 46% from the floor for the game.
FSU helped themselves also by controlling the boards out rebounding the Falcons 43-25 margin.
The Seminoles will return home Tuesday to take on Stetson. Tip off is 7:00 PM.