Gators

Top-ranked Seton Keough can chalk yet another win up to defense.Their man-to-man gave Mount de Sales enough trouble to help the Gators escape with a 31-26 victory last night at the third annual Comet Christmas Classic at Catonsville High School.The Gators (6-1) needed all the defense they could muster, because they managed very little offense. They didn't score a point until Charity Carbine's driving layup with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.In the first half, the Gators shot 15 percent from the floor, and although they improved a bit in the second, they still finished at 20 percent (12-for-60)

By the time St. Paul's coach Eileen Alban called time out with 4 1/2 minutes left in yesterday's scoreless game against Notre Dame Prep, the Gators had taken 15 shots."

Something about the third-ranked Seton Keough Gators brings out the worst in St. Frances.Namely, it's called defense, defense, defense.The No. 12-ranked Panthers went to Seton Keough yesterday averaging 62 points a game but left on the short end of a 54-33 score.The win was the seventh straight for the Gators (18-4 overall, 10-1 league), who edged ahead of St. Mary's atop the Catholic League, though they are tied in the loss column. The No. 2-ranked Saints were upset, 58-57, by John Carroll Tuesday.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Now, Florida goes from playing smash-mouth football to leapfrog. At least that's how Florida TTC defensive tackle Brad Culpepper figures the Gators will get to No. 1.Fifth-ranked Florida stated its case with an emotionally charged, 14-9 victory yesterday over No. 3 Florida State. The loss eliminates the former No. 1 Seminoles from the national title hunt, but the Gators say they still are alive.The poll jumping could start today, when Culpepper hopes the voters will move Florida ahead of No. 4 Michigan.

ROCKVILLE -The end of Seton Keough's remarkable season came down to the final 18.7 seconds in Sunday's championship game of the inaugural ESPN RISE National High School Invitational against No. 1 seed Riverdale Baptist. The second-seeded Gators were clinging to a one-point lead, and Riverdale Baptist had possession on Seton Keough's baseline. The Crusaders had three shots under the basket that clanked off the rim before the Gators came up with a loose ball amid a mad scramble. Rianna Frazer then made one of two free throws with two seconds left to give Seton Keough the title, 44-42.

Perry Hall coach Larry Butts always expects a slugfest when facing Patapsco, and his No. 12 Gators' 12-5 victory over the visiting Patriots yesterday was everything he anticipated.Chris Zorn went 3-for-3 with two walks and an RBI, and Alan Batac was 2-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored, as the Gators (5-0, 3-0 in Baltimore County's East Conference) out-hit the No. 18 Patriots (4-1, 2-1) by 11-10, carrying hurler Adam Nastalski to a 2-0 record."With the bad weather we've had, we did a lot of work on hitting from a cage inside," said Butts, whose Gators have won three games via the 10-run rule and another by eight runs.

MIAMI -- In one corner, there is Steve Spurrier, creator of one of the most prolific passing games ever. In another is Ralph Friedgen, a firm believer in a balanced attack with a heavy emphasis on the running game. But tonight in the Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium, only one style will work well enough to win. Will it come from the old guard in Spurrier, who has one of college football's most successful resumes in 12 seasons at the University of Florida, or from the new kid on the block, Friedgen, making his first major bowl appearance in his first year as a head coach?

Against host John Carroll yesterday, No. 2 Seton Keough spent the first 31: 30 exhibiting defensive artistry. It was the final 30 seconds, however, that turned out to be the true masterpiece. After holding the No. 6 Patriots without a basket for more than 12 minutes late in the game, the Gators denied inbounds passes four times in the final 30 seconds and won the game, 36-34, on forward Jackie Valderas' baseline jumper with 4.5 seconds left. The victory gave Seton Keough (19-4 overall, 11-2 in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference)

After throttling No. 2 Mercy on Wednesday, No. 3 St. Mary's made it known that it intended to reclaim its No. 1 ranking yesterday at the expense of top-ranked Seton Keough.Seton Keough, however, had some intentions of its own.The Gators solidified their hold on the top spot with a convincing 53-37 victory over the visiting Saints before a standing-room-only crowd at Seton Keough.Amanda Foster scored 15 points to lead Seton Keough and Charity Carbine added 10.With the victory, the Gators (12-1)

INDIANAPOLIS -- The national championship may not be won by a last shot, but by the last team standing. Michigan State and Florida have defined this NCAA men's basketball tournament with tenacity more than talent. Instead of outshooting opponents, they have outlasted them to persevere into tonight's NCAA final. So, CBS should trash the "One Shining Moment" song for the final highlights package tonight. "Another One Bites the Dust" would be more appropriate. "It's all about surviving at the end," Michigan State forward Morris Peterson said.