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Big Win Boosts Raiders' Basketball Playoff Hopes

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By DAREK SHARP, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

PLANT CITY - Plant City High struggled at the end of its district schedule, but a contributing factor was injuries. With two starters back, the Raiders are hoping they will be strong enough to reach the boys basketball playoffs.

The Raiders' quest to make the postseason starts Tuesday when they take on host Riverview in the first round of the District 6A-8 tournament.

A first-round loss to Brandon in 1993 was Plant City's last playoff appearance.

On Jan. 25, the Raiders nearly lost a third straight district contest in four days, but pulled out a dramatic victory. Plant City edged Sarasota 46-44 thanks in part to guard Rod Henderson.

The Raiders trailed 44-40 when Henderson, while being fouled, sank a three-point shot with 30 seconds remaining. He made the free throw to conclude the rare four-point play. Henderson wasn't done, he made the winning basket in the final seconds.

"Rod definitely took the game into his own hands," Raider head coach Dale Chambers said.

Before that game Plant City lost to the district's top two teams, Lakeland and Sarasota Riverview. The Raiders led in the latter with four minutes left but ended up falling 51-42.

In those games, the Raiders did not have their top scorer, Channing Woodall, as well as Steve Hardnett, who averages more than 10 points per contest. Both had ankle injuries.

Chambers said both players should be good to go for the district tournament.

Durant, which has been playing well recently and has playoff aspirations, rose to the No. 4 seed with its late-season push. The Cougars square off with Sarasota at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The winner will play top-seed Lakeland in one semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampa trib.com

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