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4A-II GIRLS BASKETBALL

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Nature Coast Technical Head Coach Travis Lamle discusses strategy with his team during Thursday’s Class 4A, Region II quarterfinal win against visiting Groveland-South Lake. The Sharks host the defending 4A State Champions from Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Brooksville.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: February 15, 2009

Last week the Florida High School Athletic Association released its new district assignments for the next two seasons. One revelation: Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic will move down to Class 3A.
That means that tonight's 7 p.m. Class 4A, Region II semifinal at Nature Coast Technical between the host Lady Sharks (22-6) and the defending state champion Lady Hornets (27-2) will be their last postseason meeting – at least for now.
So tonight is Nature Coast's last crack at slaying its proverbial white whale.
On Feb. 24, 2004 the then first-year Lady Sharks traveled to Bishop Moore and nearly pulled off a stunning semifinal upset by literally holding onto the ball for most of the night before succumbing, 24-18.
That night, then Nature Coast Head Coach Jason Montgomery predicted his team would meet up with the Lady Hornets the following year in the regional final.
Instead they faced in the semis at Nature Coast, with the Lady Hornets ending the Lady Sharks' 26-3 campaign, 58-40.
The next season, with Nature Coast missing three starters, Bishop Moore pummeled the Lady Sharks in a quarterfinal, 64-14.
 
Always on their minds
 
Thanks to their postseason history, the Lady Sharks' thoughts never seem to drift too far away from the Lady Hornets.
Case in point, Head Coach Travis Lamle made up a poster at the beginning of the season that hangs in each player's locker.
What's on it? A team picture of Bishop Moore and this message: "We worked hard today. Did you?"
Nevertheless, Nature Coast's chances of finally breaking through against the private school powerhouse certainly haven't gotten better.
Not only did the Lady Hornets capture the state crown in 2008; they only graduated one key player and boast a starting line-up of four seniors.
One of those is center Jennifer George, who has already committed to the University of Florida. Another is point guard Lindsey Watson, headed to Hofstra.
"I think we're a senior-based team," Bishop Moore Head Coach Kristy Colligan said. "Our seniors are strong. They've been around a while.
"…They know what's expected of them. They know it's time to kick it up a notch. I think they're ready to go. This is what they live for, these playoffs. They're hungry for it for sure."
How hungry? Ask Wiregrass Ranch, the team who finished as the district runner-up to the Lady Sharks. Bishop Moore pounded the Lady Bulls in Thursday's quarterfinal, 68-17.
"They press well," Lamle said. "They get out in transition very well. They're the number one team in the state. They do a lot of things well."
The marquee match-up is George versus Shareka Maner, who averaged 23 points and 9.3 rebounds in the district tournament and followed up with 22 points and 12 rebounds in Thursday's 63-46 win over South Lake.
"Jennifer has probably got 1-2 inches on Shareka and probably 15-20 pounds," Lamle said. "She's a built solid post, where Shareka is a little more athletic and she'll try to stretch the floor a little bit.
"Shareka has got a lot of confidence right now. I think Shareka will be fine down there. She faces that competition on a nightly basis in AAU."
But the question remains, what can the Lady Sharks do to stop the Lady Hornets and give themselves a fighting chance?
"We've got to slow down those two (George and Watson) and make someone else try to beat us," Lamle said. "I assume that's what everyone has tried to do unsuccessfully.
"…We hope to have a chance late in the game to still be in it and come away with a win."
No matter how unrealistic that may seem this Nature Coast team that came into its district tournament as a three seed has gotten used to the doubters.
"I think the kids are ready. We think about Bishop Moore all year," Lamle said. "We've been underdogs all year. Our kids are really right now relishing the role of playing the underdog."
 
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 FHSAA Class 4A, Region II semifinal
WHO: Orlando-Bishop Moore Lady Hornets (27-2, 4A-7 champions) vs. Nature Coast Technical Lady Sharks (22-6, 4A-8 champions).
WHEN: Today, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Nature Coast's gym.
AT STAKE: Spot in Feb. 21 regional final against Ocala-West Port/St. Augustine winner.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Bishop Moore (Kristy Colligan, 1st year) – C Jennifer George (Sr), F Lindsay Silva (So), G Caitlin Coward (Sr), G Courtney Keys (Sr), PG Lindsey Watson (Sr); Nature Coast (Travis Lamle, 2nd year) – C Shareka Maner (Sr), F Alyssa Joens (Jr), F Alexis Helfand (So), G Jen Marshall (Jr), PG Crystal Anthony (Sr).

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

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