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4A-8 GIRLS BASKETBALL

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Nature Coast's Shareka Maner grabs a rebound during Wednesday's 4A-8 quarterfinal against Hudson.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: February 4, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - If Wednesday's Class 4A, District 8 quarterfinal against Hudson High indeed provided a prelude for what's to come for Nature Coast Technical, the future looks bright.

The third-seeded Lady Sharks, the tournament hosts, looked as sharp as they have all season in routing the sixth-seeded Lady Cobras, 66-29.

That sets up the anticipated semifinal with second-seeded Gulf Friday at 7:30 p.m. The winner will not only advance to Saturday's final, but earn a regional berth.

"I thought this was one of the better games we played all year," Nature Coast Head Coach Travis Lamle said. "From start to finish, we played well. We hope to get the team to come together as a team. We had 9-10 days to practice. I think it showed out there."

Maner dominates

The Lady Sharks' (19-6) greatest show of dominance came via senior center Shareka Maner. She posted 20 of her 25 points in the first half, 10 apiece across the two opening quarters, to lead Nature Coast to a 40-15 halftime edge.

"I got up and down the floor well," Maner said. "The whole team got up and down the floor well. The defense was good, everything in practice. We've been practicing real hard, too."

Maner also gobbled up eight rebounds, blocked two shots and added two steals.

"Shareka was an animal," Lamle said. "I was telling her that's how we need her to play against Gulf. She was finishing around the rim and we were finding her. It makes life easier when she's putting up 25."

Forward Alyssa Joens helped the cause as well, with 14 points, five rebounds and six steals.

Her short jumper, off a pass from point guard Crystal Anthony, made it 54-19 at the 3:12 mark of the third quarter, initiating a running clock.

"We came out feeling like we've got to get ready for Gulf," Joens said. "This was the best night to bring it. We're really confident going into Friday night.

"This was definitely one of the best games we've played. We played great as a team. We hustled up and down the floor. It was a good team effort."

Lamle said the game plan was to stop Hudson's (8-13) top three scorers on the season, Shannon Zasloff, Cara Carley and Lacey Carley.

It worked, as the trio combined for 23 points, with Zasloff netting a team-high 10. They came in averaging 33.2 all together.

Jen Marshall chipped in seven points, five rebounds and five assists for the Lady Sharks. Brittany Johnson had four steals and Alexis Helfand three blocks.

Next up is that pivotal third meeting with Gulf. The two squads split during the regular season, each winning on their home court.

"We anticipate another great game," Lamle said. "It's been a battle. We won by 11 here (51-40), they won by 11 there (52-41). We've really got to control Nicole Adams; she's their heart and soul. And Kianna Mills absolutely killed us last game."

"I think we're ready for them," Joens said. "We're more mentally prepared than last time we met them and this time we'd like to take the victory."

NATURE COAST 66, HUDSON 29
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
Hudson 9 6 7 7 — 29
Nature Coast 20 20 16 10 — 66
Hudson (29): Zasloff 4 1-2 10, Proctor 0, C. Carley 3 1-2 7, L. Carley 1 4-4 6, Hurst 1 0-0 2, Dugan 2 0-0 4, Smith 0, Raskovich 0, Hudnall 0. Totals 11 6-8 29.
Nature Coast (66): Helfand 2 0-2 4, Joens 7 0-1 14, Maner 10 5-5 25, Marshall 3 1-2 7, Johnson 0, Anthony 2 0-0 5, Byrd 2 0-0 5, Bossey 0 2-2 2, Hattaway 1 0-0 2, Posposil 1 0-0 2, Peterson 0. Totals 28 8-12 66.
Three-point field goals: HUD 1 (Zasloff); NCT 2 (Byrd, Anthony).
Total fouls: HUD 7; NCT 11.
Technical fouls: none.
Fouled out: none.
Records: Hudson (8-13), Nature Coast (19-6).

CLASS 4A, DISTRICT 8 TOURNAMENT
at Nature Coast Technical

02-02
Springstead 45, Sunlake 36

02-03
Gulf 55, Zephyrhills 21
Wiregrass Ranch 54, Springstead 25

02-04
Hernando 47, Pasco 36
Nature Coast 66, Hudson 29

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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