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Newsome will be a top team

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: November 25, 2009

LITHIA - After winning the Southeast Basketball Academy Summer League Championship this past summer, Newsome senior forward Samal Shepherd said his Wolves were "on the rise."

He wasn't just blowing smoke. Winning the summer league title was a huge accomplishment for the program, going 11-3 and 5-0 in the 27-team tournament playoffs, which included some of the area's best teams in Clearwater, Sickles, Lakeland Kathleen and Tampa Prep.

This upcoming season could prove to be the program's best ever, as the Wolves will arguably be the top public school team in Hillsborough County this season. Newsome reached the playoffs for the first time in school history last season, led by Shepherd's 19.5 points per game. Newsome lost in the Class 5A quarterfinals to Ridgewood, Pasco County's top team, ending with a program-best 20-6 record. Shepherd, a 6-foot-4-inch scorer and 2009 Tampa Tribune All-County second-team selection, as well as 2009 Western Conference Division Player of the Year, returns along with coach's son and guard Trent Mackey and power forward Jake Hodges.

OTHER LOCAL TEAMS

Armwood: Demetrius Jackson returns for his senior year after leading Hillsborough County in blocks with 6.6 per game as junior. Jackson, a 6-foot-4-inch forward, also averaged 8.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He has interest from Division I programs such as North Florida, Jacksonville University and East Tennessee State. The Hawks finished 10-15 last season.

Bloomingdale: Former Lennard head coach Joe Willis was hired to take over the program for Josh Chapin, who resigned to become an administrator at Brandon. Bloomingdale graduated its all-time leading scorer in Callum Townsend, now at the University of Tampa, and its leading scorer from last season, Joe Raga, who is now at Limestone College. The Bulls return senior guard Tim Coffey and senior post player Matt Farnsworth from last year's 19-8 squad.

Brandon: Allie Turley returns for his second year as head coach of the Eagles, which finished 5-19. In 2007, Brandon reached the 5A state tournament.

East Bay: William Teeden takes over as head coach for a program that went 3-18 last season. Teeden is expecting a good year from his backcourt in guards Ricky Gilbert and Jose Negron, who transferred from Robinson.

Riverview: Dwayne Perry returns as coach to try to lead a Sharks team that went 2-15 last season.

Spoto: Spoto should thrive in a new district, compared to playing powerhouses Lakeland Kathleen and Bartow in years past. Eric Brooks returns for his fourth season as head coach and will try to improve on last year's 2-14 record.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851

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