Page 148 - chs-1995

The Will to Succeed Overcotnes the Sense of

Head Coach
Randall Leath

During a time out, Coach Leath and Coach Stewart instruct the Boney Watson completes an
Tigers to cover under "the bucket."
acrobatic move ..... Cracefull

The ColumbiA High Boys Basketball team was faced with a challenge this year that no other
CHS Basketball team has faced for over a quarter of a century: defend the district title. This
year's team,. although young and relatively inexperienced, was up to the task. During tryouts,
the team underwent a rigorous, month-long conditioning program to get themselves in shape
for the season. After the tryouts were concluded, official practice began. About three weeks
later, the season began with a game at rival Baker County. During the Christmas break, the
Tigers played in two tournaments: The Gty of Palm Oassic at Fort Myers, and the Florida First
Coast Shoot-a-Round at Glen St. Mary, where they were defending champs. The Gty of Palms
Cia ic is one of the mOBt prestigious tournaments in the nation, featuring five teams ranked in
USA Today's "Super 25." The Tigers played Nationally ranked#4 Paterson Catholic, NJ,
Lexington Catholic, Ky, and Texas #l,McKinney High. After the Christmas break, the Tigers
had a big home game with Orange Park. The Tigers played Iough, but lost. However, the Tigers
finished up djstrict play in second place, giving them the second sero in the di~lrid tourney at
Lake Weir. Their first round game was against the #3 seed, the St.
Augustine YeUow Jackets, who had given CHS trouble in the
regular season. They were tough again in this game, taking the
Tigers to overtime. CHS turned the ball over 39 times, but stiU won,
80-78. Thjs set up a di 'trid final between the Tigers and #1 seed
Orange Pack. Orange Park scored the first basket of~h ;'\"'e, but it
was all Tigers from that point on. CHS never ag nt yailed and
defeated the Raid en 64-57. Ths gave Columbia Hi -it§ first repeal
district championship ever. The Tigers were also rew;uded with a Pressuring the baH, Trey Hosford prepares for a
berth in the state tournament, with a first-round matchup at home Tiger steal.
against Fort Walton Beach. The Tigett~ worked hard a1l season to be
champions. They certainly deserve all the goals they accomplished.