Ridgewood's Hays off to Florida College

By ANDY VILLAMARZO | Special correspondent
Published: August 17, 2012 Updated: August 17, 2012 - 12:00 AM

NEW PORT RICHEY --

Former Ridgewood High basketball standout Tony Hays finalized his college plans Monday morning, signing with Florida College in the high school's front office.

"I really feel that Tony developed each and every year he was in our program," Ridgewood coach Mike Bua said. "His junior year, I believe he learned quite a bit from Mike Wood and Scott Kujak, and they really helped bring his game to the next level."

Hays posted solid numbers last season, helping lead Ridgewood to a 15-12 record. The 6-foot-2 standout averaged 11.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, including two notable performances last season.

In the season opener against Gulf, Hays had 20 points, 22 rebounds and eight blocks. In a similar outing against Wiregrass on Dec. 7, Hays had 13 points, 25 rebounds and five blocks.

He'll join former Sunlake guard/forward Pedro Pabon, who signed with the Christian school in Temple Terrace during the summer.

Florida College's Falcons basketball team was 8-14 last season under coach Rob Mitchell.

Hays is projected to play shooting guard, and that differs from what Hays played in his final high school season, when he spent time at small forward and power forward.

"I'm just blessed to be able to get an offer like this," Hays said. "I couldn't believe it. It took a lot of relief and stress off. I'm just honored to be playing at the next level."

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tbo/pasco/~3/C-Qhc1W88GY/

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