5 Takeaways: East Lake vs. St. Pete

<p>St. Pete has won all but two games this season by double digits.</p> <p>The Green Devils improved to 16-0 after their second victory over East Lake this season on Tuesday night, 59-41.</p> <p>The two Class 8A-District 10 rivals met for the second time in a month as St. Pete led at 27-20 and never looked back.</p> <p>Here are five takeaways from the night.</p> <h2><strong>Terell Strickland has matured a ton</strong></h2> <p>14 of Terell Strickland's 20 points came in the second half alone as he really picked up his play to open the third quarter. The 2019 guard is the son of former NBA player Rod Strickland and brother of current Wisconsin freshman Tai Strickland. Terell is an impressive shooter and a very calming presence running the point. He creates for others and it seems like he's truly coming into his own. Playing a bench role last season with St. Pete and the year prior at Tampa Catholic, Strickland looks like a completely different player, a confident one who is blooming at the right time.</p> <h2><strong>St. Pete's four guard rotation is dangerous</strong></h2> <p>Alongside starters Strickland and 2020 guard Deondre Earley (10 points), 2019 guard Ahke McMichael (transfer from Pinellas Park) and 2021 guard Ray Perry are fine players who give St. Pete a lot of pop. Earley is a finesse attacker who is really sound with the ball in his hands while McMichael is blazing fast (six points). Perry (seven points) is more of a physical guard who can shoot and create for others. The four guards are all dynamic in their own way and are a big reason why St. Pete is still undefeated.</p> <h2><strong>Dionte Blanch is a pure athlete</strong></h2> <p>St. Pete double teamed and at times triple teamed 2020 East Lake guard <strong>Dionte Blanch</strong>. He still managed to put a 20-point performance together. His shooting touch wasn't there much like the rest of his team, but Blanch was driving and drawing contact. He's at his best when he's going downhill. He can create on his own and play tough defense and rarely gets rattled. 2021 guard Dean Gabrelcik did his best to carry the offense with five points and a lot of energy. Also, 2019 guard Dakota Speed scored six points for the Eagles.</p> <h2><strong>Alfonso Franklin can do damage</strong></h2> <p>Transferring over from Northeast this fall, 2019 forward<strong> Alfonso Franklin</strong> has been an added presence to St. Pete's attack down low. The 6'6" bruiser scored eight of his 12 points in the first half as he took advantage of mismatches and looks inside. His baby hook shot is his best feature. Look for the Green Devils to continue to feed Franklin the ball in the paint.</p> <h2><strong>These two teams should meet again</strong></h2> <p>Come district tournament time next month, it will likely come down to East Lake and St. Pete once again in 8A-10. The Green Devils have won the two regular season meetings by 12 and 18 points. However, expect East Lake to bring a different look and attempt to muster together a true four quarter performance. At this point, St. Pete is in the Eagles head and with more time to plan and watch film, I fully expect that third game to be a memorable one.</p>