12/09/2005
By Brian Porter , Staff Writer

DALLAS - A couple of decisive scoring runs was all Seagoville needed to win this showdown between two of the area's most prolific scoring teams and state-ranked programs at Ellis Davis Fieldhouse.

Seagoville (10-0) used a 20-2 first period scoring run to draw ahead of Plano and a 19-5 run to close the second period led to an 86-75 win over Plano (7-4) in a Dallas Hoopfest opening-day game.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 12 in the TABC's Class 5A state poll, fell to 2-4 against state-ranked opponents. Seagoville, the No. 3 team in the TABC's Class 5A state poll, remained unbeaten.

"They're really good," Plano coach Tom Inman said. "What does Seagoville want from Plano? For us to put it on the floor. I think we regressed a little. They're really athletic."

In an 11-game schedule to start the season, Plano has played just five state-unranked teams. It will play its third state-ranked team of the week as Plano meets Dallas Lincoln at 7 p.m. today.

Plano will need to discover a counter to scoring runs in order to avoid its third loss to a state-ranked foe across five days.

Seagoville twice used bursts of scoring the first half to pull away from Plano. The Wildcats led 17-7 before Plano-ex Brandon Ware scored the first two points of a 20-2 run and Seagoville led 27-23 at the end of the period.

Plano came back to tie the game midway through the second period, but a 19-5 run to close the half gave Seagoville a 48-34 advantage and eight points was as close as Plano would close the margin in the second half.

"The energy you spend to counter is the energy you don't have to stop their run," Inman said. "The lead you spot them is generally the lead you lose by."

But, Seagoville spotted Plano a lead it could not roll into a halftime advantage. The Wildcats scored on nine of its first 12 possessions to open the game. It scored on just two of its final 11 possessions of the first period, but rallied back from a 27-19 deficit on a 10-2 run. Seagoville immediately countered with the 19-5 run.

It's uncharacteristic of a Plano team to allow 48 points in a half, and sometimes in a game. Few Plano teams have had this much offensive talent, though.

"I think it's a little too high," said Inman, of the 86 points allowed to Seagoville. "It was a high possession game.

"We have way more tools on this team. The fourth or fifth option on this team is better than the first or second option we've had on other teams."

The fact that Plano has faced six state-ranked opponents and will draw its seventh state-ranked opponent today has Inman believing the Wildcats could be among the most seasoned teams once district play opens Dec. 21.

"There are some plays you can't quite make against teams like Seagoville," Inman said. "Maybe those are plays you find out you can make in district."

Plano was able to close the deficit against Seagoville to 74-65 with 4:32 remaining in the game, but starting point guard John Roberson had four fouls. Joe Fulce, playing against two other Texas A&M signees, scored nine of his game-high 25 points in the fourth period, but Plano couldn't get the run to make a late challenge.

Fulce will have knee surgery Monday and is expected to miss two weeks. He will be available for today's game.

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