TAMPA — Tampa Prep has Berkeley Prep’s number when it comes to boys basketball, posting seven straight victories. Because Juwan Durham is only a sophomore, the Terrapins’ streak is likely to reach nine.
Tampa Prep romped to a 56-34 win in Saturday’s Headmasters Challenge, an annual 14-event, one-day competition between the schools in winter sports squads at the middle school, junior varsity and varsity levels. The Terps basketball team posted its fifth straight Headmasters win over the Bucs. Durham led the way with a triple double of 24 points, 17 rebounds and 15 blocks.
“He’s a differencemaker,” TP coach Joe Fenlon said. “When he’s active, he’s really good. The shots he doesn’t block, he changes, so you have to be aware of where he is on the floor.”
Durham’s 15 blocks were four shy of the state record set by Tampa Prep’s Casey Sanders (Class of 1999), who had more than 500 career blocks before playing for Duke.
“That’s great,” Durham said when informed of his game statistics, adding, “This was a big game for our team.”
Tampa Prep (15-2) raced to a 6-0 lead that, thanks in part to a swarming defense, grew to 29-16 by halftime. Mike Fridella, who got open shots while the Bucs focused on Durham, had 11 of his 15 points before the break.
“I think, defensively, that’s our style,” Fenlon said. “If we can hold our opponents under 60 (points) every game. … It was a really good team win for us.”
Berkeley Prep (15-2) finally reached double digits in scoring for a quarter in the final frame with 11. Justin Gray finished with a team-leading nine points, followed by Craig Bowman’s eight and N’Namdi Green’s six.
In the girls basketball contest of the Headmasters Challenge, Tampa Prep won 47-27 to match the boys with a fifth straight victory in that series. Daniella Reina scored a game-high 19 for the Terps and teammate Alexia Michaelos added 15.