Nature Coast searching for challenge in holiday tournaments

Things have gone smoothly for the Nature Coast Technical Lady Sharks this season - maybe a little too smoothly.

Nature Coast once again finds itself blitzing its way through its early-season schedule, compiling a spotless 12-0 mark and beating its opponents by an average of 29.1 points per game.

Only once, a 50-45 triumph at Gulf High on Dec. 6, have the Lady Sharks failed to win by double figures and only three times have they won by less than 25.

Of course dominating the local backyard is hardly a new concept for Nature Coast. The Lady Sharks are seeking to repeat as Class 4A, District 8 champions, a feat that would bring them their third district crown in four seasons.

They've also reached regionals in all five seasons of their existence, advancing to the Sweet 16 four of those times. Not to mention they've gone 31-0 all-time in county play.

But are they really as elite as the numbers would indicate, or have they simply beat up on weak competition? During the next three weeks, the answer will become much clearer.

This weekend, Nature Coast is taking part in the four-day Lexington Catholic Holiday Classic in Lexington, Ky. On Jan. 3-5, it will participate in the Indian Rocks Christian School Holiday Tournament at Indian Rocks Christian School.

"It's just going to be different competition," Nature Coast Head Coach Travis Lamle said. "The teams down here that give us problems are the more athletic teams. Not that the teams we're going to see are athletic, but really fundamental and with size at the center position. That's going to be different for us.

"It'll show us what it will be like when we get to the playoffs. Our first game is against Newport Central Catholic. They're upper level but not as upper level as some teams that will be there. It'll be a good litmus test for us."

According to Lamle, former Nature Coast Head Coach Jason Montgomery, a Kentucky native, finagled an invitation to this prestigious tournament, considered the best in the state.

The field includes 30 teams, with a guaranteed three games and possibly four, though Nature Coast cannot play a fourth game by FHSAA rule because it would fall on Sunday.

"In the past, I think, seven years, the champion from Kentucky has come out of it," Lamle said. "These people can play. That's all they do in that area. It's a different atmosphere there.

"The kids right now, they're talking about seeing snow. I hope they realize we're going to play basketball. These teams are extremely well-coached; they do all the little things."

The eight-team Indian Rocks tournament, though much closer to home, will provide some equally tough competition.

Nature Coast opens with St. Pete Catholic at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 then will face either Boca Ciega or Tampa Catholic the following day.

St. Pete Catholic finished as the Class 3A state runner-up in 2006 and advanced to the regional finals last season. Boca Ciega, a 5A program, has reached regionals every year since 1993.

"It's the type of competition we'll see when we get out of our district," said Lamle, whose team has only played two non-district games thus far, both against Central High. "In our district there are nine teams. That's 16 games already set up, plus Central, that's 18. You have only seven games to play with.

"Unfortunately they're all right in a row, but these six games for us will show if we're ready to play or not. It's hard to gauge with the games we've been having."

Springstead hosts shootout

One tournament Nature Coast will not take part in is the Florida Gulf Coast Holiday Classic that it had hosted the past three years.

However, a new holiday tournament has emerged in the county. Springstead High will host Christmas Chaos Dec. 27-28.

The four-team shootout features Crystal River, River Ridge and The Villages along with the host Lady Eagles. Springstead plays The Villages on Thursday and River Ridge on Friday, with both tip-offs at 7:30 p.m.

"Instead of the girls taking 14-15 days off and with a young group, I wanted to get more time in the gym with them," Springstead Head Coach Todd Toomer said. "We'd like to build this up into more.

"I've been starting one freshman, three sophomores and a junior. They need more playing time. I'm hoping this is more of a learning experience."

Central and Hernando High will both play in tournaments that weekend, as well.

The Lady Bears return to Cape Coral for the eight-team Ida S. Baker Christmas Tournament at Baker High Dec. 27-29. They face North Ft. Myers in the first round at 4 p.m.

Last year Central came in second at this event, beating host Baker, and then ranked in 2A. The Lady Bears lost to Pembroke Pines-Flanagan in the final.

"I don't know too much about the teams there and they don't know about us," Central Head Coach Penny Gressick said. "It's nice to get out and play different competition.

"I think it's a good thing for the kids just to be away and do things together. It builds camaraderie. It's just going out and competing against different teams from around the state."

Hernando will make a much shorter trip to Lecanto High for the Beef O' Brady's Christmas Classic.

In the four-team shootout that takes place Dec. 27-28, the Lady Leopards face Citrus at 3 p.m. the first day and host Lecanto at 7:30 p.m. the following night.

With eight victories already, Hernando has matched its highest win total since the 23 posted by the 2001-02 club that advanced to the regional final. The Lady Leopards haven't had a winning season since.

"It's just some exposure to playing different teams, looking at different levels of competition," first-year Hernando High Head Coach JoSandra Maner said. "It's (this season) a lot better than the previous five years. I think we're doing well, very well."