School may be out for the next couple months, but the Nature Coast gym was open for business on Thursday.
The boys basketball team played host to the fifth annual Nature Coast Summer Shootout, bringing together 32 teams from around the area over two days. Games were also played at Explorer K-8 and Fox Chapel Middle School.
“I thought it was very successful,” Nature Coast head coach Dave Pisarcik said. “Overall, two great days of basketball. A lot of good teams here, a lot of competitive teams, so you’re getting good games.
“We just want to play. That’s why people sign up and they come, because that’s what summer is all about. Just getting games in, getting experience and getting ready for the regular season.”
The Sharks had the finest showing among Hernando County crews, reaching the semifinals before losing to Seffner-Armwood, 43-40. Armwood ended up defeating Clearwater-Countryside in the final, 64-61.
Nature Coast went 2-1 in pool play on Wednesday, downing River Ridge and Tampa-Jefferson, then falling to Interlachen. In bracket play on Thursday, the Sharks beat Crystal River, Bishop McLaughlin and Ridgewood.
“I’m proud of the guys. Some of these guys come from football, and they play three games, and they go back to football,” Pisarcik said. “We know what our strengths are. I think guys are starting to fill their roles.”
This past winter, the Sharks went 22-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16. They made their seventh straight regional appearance and won their sixth district title during that span.
Though the graduation of guards Jamison Carnegie and Nick Crima leaves a void in the backcourt, forward Kaine McColley will return after averaging 14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals as a junior. Jordan Baxter, Robert McAfee, Austin Rivera and Anthony Valante are all expected to step up and be key contributors next season.
“I think Kaine played well,” Pisarcik said of the tournament. “I think Baxter is starting to develop a little bit. We’re happy not just with those two, but the progress of everybody. They’re starting to buy in to what we’re trying to teach them and it showed.
“Out of all the teams, looking before at our bracket, I didn’t think we’d come to the final four and give Armwood a nail-biter. So I’m proud of the guys and how we played. There’s certain things we could have done differently, but that’s for us to learn and get better, and get ready for the season.”
Central had pool wins over Academy at the Lakes and Osceola, sandwiching a loss to Armwood. The Bears topped Interlachen on Thursday, but were eliminated by Countryside.
Springstead went 1-2 in pool play, winning over Gibsonton-East Bay, then losing to Countryside and Bishop McLaughlin. A victory over Tampa-Leto preceded a loss to Mitchell for the Eagles on Thursday.
Also, Hernando lost to Armwood, Countryside and Bishop McLaughlin on Wednesday. The Leopards notched a triumph the next day over another team from Armwood called the Hawks, followed by a loss to a second Countryside squad, the Cougars.
“I started with 16 (teams the first year). I went to 20, went to 24 and boom, 32,” Pisarcik said. “I think if you put a good product out there and you do a good job in running it, you’ll attract teams. People want to come and play in a well-organized tournament. I thought we did good job at that.
“All the teams that were local came out and they played, and it was good to see those guys again. I think playing in this type of environment, not as much pressure for the guys. And as a coach, it’s more like come here, hang out, catch up a little bit and then get on our way. Wins and losses really don’t matter as much right now. It’s just improvement.”
Follow Chris Bernhardt Jr. on Twitter @cpbernhardtjr.