Clearwater defended their home gym and finished district play with a 9-1 record, taking down Northeast 72-64 on the Game of the Week. Joel Alfred earned Player of the Game honors, leading the Tornadoes with 18 points and finishing 3-for-5 on 3-point FGs.
The game was back and forth through the first half, as Northeast led by two after the first quarter, but Clearwater took a four-point lead into halftime. Romain Minott started the game off with two thunderous dunks, on his way to a 14-point performance. As Clearwater pulled away in the second half, they leaned on their balanced offensive attack. Four players finished in double figures for the Tornadoes, with Gene Culver and Yukari McAfee both tallying ten points.
For the Vikings, Alfonso Franklin scored 12 of his 18 points in the first half and finished with a double-double as he added ten rebounds. It was also an impressive showing from the backcourt duo of Jalynn Williams (20 points) and Amarildo Lame (15 points).
Clearwater (17-4) had already clinched the #1 seed in the upcoming 6A District 9 Tournament at Boca Ciega, with their win Tuesday night over Dixie Hollins, in which head coach Tom Shaneyfelt also recorded his 700th career victory. They'll face Countryside and East Lake in their next two games, with a berth in the PCAC Championship as the North County representative on the line, before they enter the district tourney with their sights set on their first district title since 2011
In long-time head coach Dave Redding's 36th and final season, the Vikings have authored an impressive turnaround, just one year removed from a 2-24 record. After tonight's loss, they fall to 13-10, but have a legitimate shot at advancing to the 6A-9 championship and making the postseason for the first time since 2011.
Click on the video link for highlights and analysis.