NCT Returns to South Lake

The last time a Nature Coast Technical team visited the South Lake High campus, the lights went out and a nightmare ensued.
Different sport, different gender, Nature Coast returns to Groveland today for the opening round of the Florida Citrus Shootout.
Likely no one for the Lady Sharks expects a repeat of the incident that destroyed the school's football season.
"I already talked to their A.D. (athletic director) about it, I talked to my principal," said Nature Coast Head Coach Travis Lamle, who doubles as A.D. "I don't foresee any issue. I know my kids aren't going to have any issue with it.
"I don't think there's any issue with it. It's been a long time. They're vastly different sports. I'm not worried about my kids."
The Lady Sharks (10-3) have bigger worries, as in the competition they'll face in this three-day event. They take on Leesburg today at 10 a.m., Apopka on Monday at 3:15 p.m. and Cocoa on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
"We always like to travel for Christmas," Lamle said. "I know this tournament in the past had good teams in it. We've got Leesburg, Cocoa, Apopka. Those are the type of teams that make you better."

Tough start

Nature Coast will likely receive its most arduous test right out of the gate in Leesburg (10-2).
These two teams have one previous meeting, in a holiday tournament at Nature Coast two years ago. The Yellow Jackets dominated the shorthanded Lady Sharks, 66-41.
"They're pretty good," Lamle said. "We played two years ago and they'd sub five at a time and didn't lose anything. They pressed all game and came at you in waves. They're really athletic, real fast. They're going to give us a lot of match-up issues.
"They've got a point (guard) and a real good three (small forward) type of player who can slash and also pull up and shoot it."
Senior guard/forward Waneta Carlisle leads Leesburg in scoring at 18.8 points per game, followed by senior center Layota Foster (14.4) and freshman point guard Baylie Bridges (11.8).
Foster also averages 12.7 rebounds, while Bridges dishes out 4.8 assists. Sophomore guard/forward Jaleesa Blue averages 9.1 points and 8.5 rebounds.
"I guess we've got to use their aggressiveness to our advantage," Lamle said. "Slow down the game a little bit, execute precisely on offense, not turn the ball over like we have the last few games.
"We hope we can beat them with our execution on offense and doing all the little things right."
When Nature Coast last played eight days ago, it suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Wiregrass Ranch in a pivotal Class 4A, District 8 contest.
The Lady Sharks, who have never failed to reach regionals, currently sit second in the district behind Wiregrass Ranch and ahead of Gulf High, who they beat Dec. 11.
They are led by senior center Shareka Maner (11.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks), junior guard Jenn Marshall (11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 steals) and senior point guard Crystal Anthony (8.9 points, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals).
"These are the kind of games that get us ready for the district tournament and the postseason hopefully afterward," Lamle said. "We don't see a lot of size and athleticism and that's what we've struggled with in the past.
"We need to see our weaknesses that we don't already know about. We've got to play better teams to get better."

Hernando at Wesley Chapel

Another county team will be in action tonight, with Hernando traveling to Wesley Chapel for a 6 p.m. game.
Hernando Head Coach Pete Lahey did not know who his team would face. The Lady Leopards (4-7) will play another game on Monday in this four-team shootout.
"We wanted to play some good competition," Lahey said. "I have no clue how the other teams are but I know Wesley Chapel is a good team.
"...We'll work on some things we need to work on. We'll work on our offense; work on defense a little bit. Work on presses a little bit. We'll bring some JV players up to get them acclimated to the next level."

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Florida Citrus Shootout
WHO: Apopka, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, East Ridge, Eustis, Leesburg, Nature Coast, Satellite, South Lake, Spruce Creek, Wekiva and Winter Springs.
WHEN: Dec. 27, 29-30
WHERE: Groveland-South Lake High.
FORMAT: Three-day shootout.
DIRECTIONS: Take State Road 50 east toward Orlando. Turn left on County Road 565A. Turn left on Silver Eagle Road. The school is located at 15600 Silver Eagle Road.