ORLANDO, Fla.,None — There's something missing this season from the Orlando Christian Prep boys basketball team.
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The reigning three-time Class 1A state champions are out to a 4-1 start to the 2010-11 season after losing big in the Rotary Tip-Off Classic title game to Winter Park 74-40 over the weekend.
"The biggest difference is we have no inside player," Orlando Christian Prep Coach Reggie Kohn said afterward. "The last few years we had at least one guy on the inside and we just don't have that this year. We rely on our guards inside and that's been very difficult for them."
OCP rode an MVP performance from current UCF sophomore forward Keith Clanton to state titles in 2008 and 2009 over Grandview Prep, then defeated Arlington Country Day 59-54 for the title last season.
This year, the Warriors are relying on seniors Adonis Burbage (6-foot-5) and Terral Merritt (6-foot-1), and junior Isaac Cohen (6-foot-4) in order to find ways to produce offensively on a consistent basis.
Before losing to Winter Park, OCP had defeated Hagerty, Tallahassee Rickards, Osceola and Lake Brantley to get the title defense underway for the third-straight year.
"You learn a lot more from your losses," Kohn said. "I knew coming in that we haven't been very good offensively. I knew that was going to be the biggest thing."
With a starting lineup that consists of players who can lead the way on any given night, Kohn is hoping a re-focused approach on the practice court will eventually make up for any deficiencies the team has come game time.
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