With the dream of a Sunshine State Conference regular-season basketball championship shattered after a 68-66 loss to Florida Southern on Wednesday, Eckerd College must set its sights on the league tournament.
The goal is not to finish in the top two of the conference (Rollins and Florida Southern claimed those spots) but to place at least third.
Prior to a Saturday game at Barry, the Tritons were 15-9, 7-5. That is one game better than Lynn and Barry, which are 6-5 and have one extra game to play. Tampa is right there with a 6-6 conference record.
With only two league games remaining, as well as a non-conference meeting with Nova Southeastern, the Tritons could solidify third or fall as far as sixth. Coach Tom Ryan expects his Tritons to finish strong, that is if they can play defense.
"Sometimes we decide not to play defense," Ryan said after Wednesday's Florida Southern loss. "We play great defense in the first half and we get a big lead, then we stop playing. You've got to play defense in this league or you're not going to win."
Ryan made sure his squad got the message after the defeat. He kept the players in the locker room for 20 minutes while Florida Southern celebrated on Eckerd's court.
That isn't to say everyone is playing poorly for the Tritons. Anthony Washington scored 26 against the Moccassins, well above his 10.9 average. Greg Plummer also provided a spark, and Marcus Bryant and Sharrod McCree continue to be go-to players down the stretch.
Another positive for the Tritons entering the final few weeks is depth. Ryan uses several players, including Steve Berg, Dan Dreaden, Per Hultman-boye, James Henderson and Charles Bryant.
If the Tritons can play one of the conference's best teams closely and still not perform well, there is a chance Eckerd will be dangerous in the conference tournament. It is scheduled for March 4-7 at Rollins College in Orlando.
TOURNAMENT TIME: The Suncoast Conference basketball tournament begins Monday, and depending on Saturday's outcome against Hillsborough CC, St.Petersburg College either hosts a game Monday or travels.
The Titans were second at 6-5 in the conference prior to Saturday. Polk CC won the regular-season championship. A win would mean a home game Monday night against Pasco-Hernando CC. A loss would mean SPC goes to Manatee CC for its opener.
Tuesday night's tourney championship would be at the site of the highest seeded team. The winner advances to the state tournament, March 3-6 in Marianna. The Titans won the tourney title last season and have been conference champs the past three years. That string was broken this season, but the hope of a return trip to state is alive.
"We've shown some spurts lately of how good we can be," SPC coach Earnest Crumbley said. "When we defend, we win. That's how it is with us."
YAHN HONORED: Eckerd junior forward Jen Yahn was named the SSC basketball player of the week after recording 20 points and 13 rebounds in a conference win over Florida Tech. Yahn also had three steals, two blocks and an assist. The victory was only the third in 39 games against Florida Tech. Yahn was the first Eckerd player to receive the honor this season. The Tritons are 11-13, 6-6 in conference, prior to Saturday's game at Barry.
SLOW START: This was not the way Eckerd baseball coach Bill Mathews expected things to go this February.
With several players back and a pitching staff nearly intact, Mathews figured his team was in for a good season. So far, the Tritons are 2-10. Eckerd, which always has been able to hit, is batting just .254. Pitching also is struggling (4.62 ERA). Then there is fielding, with 27 errors in 12 games. Suspect offense, defense and pitching could lead to a long season.
There are some bright spots. Pitcher Eric Canestrari has a 2.08 ERA in four appearances. He has 14 strikeouts in 17 innings. Jason Wishin has pitched well, compiling a 3.52 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15 innings. The Tritons don't play again until Wednesday's home doubleheader against Warner Southern.
