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Biuso Wins Florida Junior Tour Golf Event At Summerfield

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2007

Chris Biuso of Temple Terrace won the opening Florida Junior Tour under-18 event of the season at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview, finishing with a 4-under par total of 138.

Biuso held off the field after shooting a 5-under 66, which gave him a two-shot lead going to the final round of the 36-hole event. While he shot a 72 on the second day, it was enough to secure him his first full FJT title. Biuso won a FJT Qualifying event last season.

'It was nice,' Biuso said. 'I've been playing the Florida Junior Tour for a while. It was just a matter of putting a round together and playing good golf.'

Ian McConnell of Riverview was one of two players who came up one shot short. McConnell shot an opening 70 and came back to shoot 69 on the second day. McConnell said he was disappointed to have come in second on his home course.

'It was a little bit disappointing because I lost myself some chances coming in,' he said. 'I had three or four putts from within 12 feet that I wasn't able to convert on.'

Despite falling short, McConnell was pleased with his game.

'I've been hitting the ball really well,' McConnell said. 'If I could have just made a few more putts, it would have been my tournament to win, but Chris played great.'

George Letson of Tampa finished in a tie for 13{+t}{+h} after two rounds of 74, while Jack Twomey finished in 19{+t}{+h} with rounds of 77 and 72.

Hoyas, Spartans Advance In TBBO

The Citrus Park Hoyas upset the No. 1 seed and defending champion Brandon Gators, and the North Tampa Spartans held off a late run by the Temple Terrace Hoosiers to advance to the final of the Tampa Bay Basketball Organization's middle-school division.

Citrus Park, which lost to the Gators in the championship game a season ago, was led by Eric Storts, who scored 26 points in the Hoyas' 52-47 win. Hoyas coach Nick Terlizzi said Storts' defense and rebounding keyed his offensive output.

'He started the season as one of the most talented players in the league,' Terlizzi said. 'But I think he's grown a lot. He's not only an offensive guy, he's a defensive guy, a rebounder, brings the ball up for us, he really does a lot of different things for us, really gets his offense going is his defense and rebounding.'

The Hoyas opened the season 1-3, but since then have been on an 11-1 run.

Dave Montgomery II added 15 points for the Hoyas, while the Gators were led by Xavier Owens (14 points) and Demitrius Jackson (11 points).

The Spartans got out to a great start and a double-digit lead against Temple Terrace in the second semifinal, but were forced to hold on as the Hoosiers made a late run. North Tampa held on for a 59-57 win as Eric Williams had 17 points and Trey Donaldson added 12. Mike Matthews of the Hoosiers led all scorers with 21. North Tampa coach Tom Forward said he was expecting a tough game from the Hoosiers.

'We were expecting that going in,' Forward said. 'We anticipated it was going to be a tough tournament. The Temple Terrace Hoosiers are a tremendous and well-coached team, and they have the ability to penetrate your defense, but they are tremendous outside shooters as well.'

The Hoyas and Spartans split the regular-season series 1-1, with the Hoyas winning the more recent matchup. Both teams are looking forward to today's title game.

'The Citrus Park Hoyas are very well-coached,' Forward said. 'They have very talented players, but nothing changes as to how we're going to play, and to be honest with you, the more settled team will win the game today. Either of those teams are capable of pushing out big wins.'

Haber Pursuing Hockey At Prep School

When Wharton High's hockey squad took to the ice last weekend, it was missing a familiar face.

Andrew Haber, who was a standout for the Wildcats for the past three years, is at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass.

'I'm going to prep school to help with my education,' Haber said. 'But it was originally a hockey decision.'

Haber hopes to play in college, and was recently named to the Southeast/Capital squad for the Hockey Night in Boston major summer showcase. Joining him on the team were Nick Buchholz of Valrico, Charlie O'Conner of Riverview and Michael Frank of Oldsmar. Haber said it was a thrill to be named to the tournament.

'I was happy,' Haber said. 'I felt it was a great honor, not many people get a chance to compete at that tournament.'

Haber still stays in touch with Wharton teammates Andrew Albertson and Eric Thomson, and is looking forward to seeing them when he gets the chance to visit. But making the move now has helped him since he is only a junior at his prep school, giving him two years to establish himself in New England.

'I miss some of them somewhat, but I still talk to them,' Haber said. 'I know I'll be coming home plenty of times.'

Reporter Nicholas J.E.Murray can be reached at (813) 259-7717 or nmurray@tampatrib.com. For more youth sports news and notes, including results from Week 1 of the Hillsborough County Hockey League, go to TBO.com, Keyword: Youth Sports

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