12/30/2004
By: Brian Porter

PLANO - Joseph Fulce scored 10 of his game-high 15 points in the second half to pace Plano past Cedar Hill, 47-38, Wednesday evening in the championship game of the Wildcat Holiday Classic at the Plano Activity Center.

Plano (14-3) won the tournament for the first time since 2001. Cedar Hill (16-2) opened the tournament ranked No. 1 in the boys Class 5A TABC state poll. Both of Cedar Hill's losses have come against Plano ISD opponents. Plano improves to 3-2 against state-ranked opponents.

"It was an experience," Fulce said. "All we did was come out and play with them. They deserve to be No. 1 in the state."

Fulce was named the tournament MVP. Point guard Brandon Ware was named to the all tournament team.

While Fulce was honored as the most-valuable player in the tournament, Ryan Manack may have been most important to Plano. He scored seven points in the championship game, including five in the second period as Cedar Hill attempted to rally. Manack rebounded, handled the ball well, and dished out assists in a sixth-man role.

"He's the heart of the team," Fulce said.

"Manack does everything," Plano coach Tom Inman added. "I guarantee people watch tape and see that No. 1."

Plano dominated the tempo of the championship game by limiting the open looks Cedar Hill had and the Longhorns were an ice-cold 1-of-16 from the perimeter.

"It was one of those games that some people might say Plano and Cedar Hill did not look that good," Inman said. "Both are very good defensive teams."

Cedar Hill was limited to 16 points in the first half and just 24 in three period as Plano had its way defensively. Plano led 6-3 at the end of the first period and 19-16 at halftime. Plano used a 16-8 advantage in the third period to secure a 35-24 advantage.

Then Plano succeeded from the free-throw line. The team converted 10-of-15 shots in the fourth period and Cedar Hill never led after converting the first points of the game.

"What I thought was good was we didn't give up any scoring spurt," Inman said.

And how will Plano celebrate the win over No. 1? With an 8 a.m. practice today.

"I'm not letting up," Inman said. "Why would I?"

FINAL - Plano 47, Cedar Hill 38

SCOREBOARD
Teams	Qtr 1	Qtr 2	Qtr 3	Qtr 4	OT	Final
Cedar Hill	3	13	8	14	--	38
Plano	6	13	16	12	--	47

Cedar Hill (16-2) - Willie Warren 10, Bishop Wheatley 9, Brian Giddings 7, Javarie Towns 4, Elijah Brydson 3, Claude Toliver 2, Gerayl Sanders 2, Wale Ogunoye 1.

Plano (14-3) - Joseph Fulce 15, Eric Zastoupil 13, Ryan Manack 7, Lawrence Mann 4, Brandon Ware 4, Travis Vance 3, Mark Foster 1.