Spotlight Shines On Lady Shark Support Cast

WESLEY CHAPEL - Just how much better is Nature Coast Technical than the rest of its competition in Class 4A, District 8?

The top-seeded Lady Sharks, ranked seventh in the state, took on fifth seed Zephyrhills High Friday night at Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch High in a 4A-8 Tournament semifinal that determined a regional berth.

Nature Coast's top two players, senior guard Cherikhan Waddy and junior forward Shareka Maner, stayed glued to the bench nursing a leg and knee injury respectively.

It didn't even matter. The supporting cast rose to the occasion, as the Lady Sharks never trailed in cruising to a 47-21 victory.

"We all had to step up," senior Lauren Wajerski said. "It's a different kind of game without the two of them (Maner and Waddy). We all work hard. We all want it. That's the number one thing. We're all in the gym everyday and we're all going to give it our best."

Back in regionals

Nature Coast (21-5) will make its fifth consecutive state playoff appearance, and earned a shot at defending its district crown on Saturday versus fellow semifinal winner Gulf High.

Considering the Lady Sharks won their 16 regular-season district contests by an average of 29.6 points, it comes as no surprise that they would dominate the tournament.

Without their two most pivotal pieces, though, such a convincing triumph was staggering. Nature Coast opened up a 9-0 advantage on Crystal Anthony's three-pointer in the first quarter, and never looked back.

"We didn't practice with (Maner and Waddy) for two days, so we were kind of ready for it," Nature Coast Head Coach Travis Lamle said. "I thought kids that don't normally start stepped up."

Sophomore Alyssa Joens, replacing Maner in the line-up, pulled down nine rebounds, while Waddy's fill-in, sophomore Jen Marshall, had six rebounds and five steals.

Anthony, the regular starting point guard, added nine points, four assists and four steals.

Two other usual starters, Wajerski and fellow senior April Trezise, each tallied 15 points. Trezise added eight rebounds, notching 10 points and four boards in the first half.

The 6-footer towered over the smallish Zephyrhills (11-14) frontcourt, making it easy for Nature Coast to simply throw it high to Trezise near the basket.

"I just have to remember to take my time and concentrate," Trezise said. "I tend to rush my shot.

"It (making regionals) means a lot to us. It's my senior year. It's my last shot. Hopefully we go far."

"April and Joens are the kids down low with us. They work real hard," Lamle said. "April is an offensive rebound machine. She gets a lot of stick backs. April does what she does well. She gets her shot off quick and she's a great offensive rebounder."

Walking wounded

Waddy's absence was planned. Though still gimpy, she returned against Springstead High in Tuesday's quarterfinal after missing the final three games of the regular season.

Maner mysteriously tweaked her knee versus Springstead, and sat out this one for precautionary reasons. Lamle expected both players to return for Saturday's important title tilt.

Reaching regionals every season has raised the bar considerably for the Lady Sharks. Just making it, while still an accomplishment, no longer qualifies the season as a success.

Winning the district championship has particular importance, because the loser will to travel to the 4A-7 champion, mostly likely Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic.

The Lady Hornets, perennially the class of the region, have eliminated Nature Coast three times. Even if both teams win their district, they could meet in the regional semifinals.

"If we win tomorrow we're excited," Lamle said. "If we lose we're looking at Bishop Moore again.

"...We want to go to the Sweet 16 (regional semifinals) again, go out again with Bishop Moore and give them another shot."