Tale Of Two Teams

One team has never failed to make it this far. One team has never made it this far before.

For fifth-ranked Nature Coast Technical, how it performs in regionals will ultimately measure the success or failure of its season.

For Hernando Christian Academy, regionals are the culmination of a plan initiated four years ago.

Tonight these two clubs will participate in a regional quarterfinal, the Class 4A, District 8 champion Lady Sharks hosting 4A-7 runner-up Kissimmee-Poinciana High, and the 1A-6 runner-up Lady Lions traveling to 1A-5 champ Lake Mary Prep. Both games will tip-off at 7 p.m.

NCT: best chance?

Fairly or unfairly, the expectations are raised for Nature Coast (22-5). Since the Lady Sharks came into existence in 2003-04, they have reached the state playoffs all five seasons, claiming three district crowns and advancing to the Sweet 16 (regional semifinals) four times.

It has long since stopped being a matter of whether they will make it this far, but rather how much further will they go?

"For me, you always have got Bishop Moore just looming right there every year. It'd be nice to get away from them for a year," Nature Coast Head Coach Travis Lamle said. "This is pretty much the year, if we're going to make a run it's going to be now."

Ah yes, fourth-ranked Orlando-Bishop Moore Catholic. The three-time defending regional champion Lady Hornets have defeated the Lady Sharks in these state playoffs thrice, and are still around this year as 4A-7 champs.

Nature Coast could potentially travel to Bishop Moore in Tuesday's semifinals, if both teams win tonight. The Lady Hornets host 4A-8 runner-up Gulf High. First, though, the Lady Sharks must get past a Poinciana team enjoying the best season in program history at 24-3. Two of those losses came at the hands of Bishop Moore, the other to Kissimmee-Osecola High, ranked tenth in 6A.

Though Lamle could not obtain any film on Poinciana, based on what he has heard he feels the Eagles are similar to the Eustis High team that Nature Coast defeated in last year's quarterfinals.

"I think Eustis was a little more athletic than this team," Lamle said. "I think they're fairly comparable. Eustis didn't have a lot of size; they don't have a lot of size. It'll be that (fast-paced) style of play.

"I think we match-up well. I think April (Trezise) and Shareka (Maner), based on size alone, should have a good day. What they (the Eagles) lack in size they make up for in speed.

"If they play us man (defense) we'll try to get it down to Shareka and April down low. If we they do play zone, I like our chances because of our size. I think we do better against athletic teams when they go zone on us."

Injuries could play a role in the Lady Sharks' postseason run, as their top three players are all hobbled. Senior guard Cherikhan Waddy (leg, ankle) played effectively in two of three 4A-8 Tournament games despite a noticeable limp. She sat out the middle game of the tournament along with Maner (knee), who returned for the final versus Gulf High to record 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Also, Lauren Wajerski got kneed in the thigh during the Gulf game. All three are expected to play tonight.

HCA: long time coming

Under fourth-year Head Coach Jim Bragg, HCA has slowly built up behind the core of seniors Meredith Hanshaw, Danielle Kuka, Mary Ellen Langley and junior Heidi Riley.

The Lady Lions (15-7) will make the first regional appearance in program history tonight, making this a special moment for this group.

"Four years ago when I started, this is what we talked about," Bragg said. "We wanted to build the house and we did that. We started playing ball and it's paying off."

Bragg has no scouting report of any kind on Lady Mary Prep (18-9), so he doesn't know what to expect.

The Lady Lions will continue to play without Kuka (knee) and sophomore Cassi Byrne (concussion), who both missed the final few weeks of the regular season and the district tournament.

"Danielle has a great knowledge of the court and knows what to do," Bragg said. "And Cassi is so fast; she makes our press totally different."

The Lady Lions can also take pride in the fact that they are the first county school other than Nature Coast to make it out of districts in five years.

Unlike Nature Coast, HCA does not have the pressure to advance any further. That doesn't mean the Lady Lions aren't maintaining their intensity, according to Bragg.

"We're going over there to win," Bragg said. "We're not going just to play ball. We don't know what we're up against, but we're going to play the best we can.

"They're working hard. They don't want to go over there and get spanked. As long as we compete, I'll be happy."

COMING ATTRACTIONS

WHAT: 2008 FHSAA Class 4A, Region II quarterfinal

WHO: Kissimmee-Poinciana Lady Eagles (23-4, 4A-7 runners-up) at Nature Coast Technical Lady Sharks (22-5, 4A-8 champions).

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Nature Coast gym.

AT STAKE: Spot in Tuesday's regional semifinal versus the winner of Bishop Moore/Gulf.