Seffner Christian tames Lady Lions

Playing for the first time in the new calendar year, Hernando Christian Academy lost for the first time under its new head coach.

The Lady Lions dropped a Class 1A, District 8 matchup against Seffner Christian at home Tuesday night, 47-33.

This marked HCA's third game since Athletic Director Mike Drummond took over the coaching duties from Trey Crawford, who has at least temporary stepped down.

Crawford, who had been in his second year with the Lady Lions, was instead in the crowd, as his daughters Courtney and Chelsea remain on the roster.

He pointed to his duties as owner/manager at Sims Furniture Galleries as the reason for his departure.

"I was out of town more and the time constraints were not allowing me to devote the necessary time," Crawford said.

So Drummond, who spent 11 seasons as boys varsity head coach prior to being named AD in 2005 and was coaching the girls middle school team this season, is now the interim girls varsity headman.

"It's a transition for all of us, obviously," Drummond said. "We're all a little bit out of our comfort zone, but I think we'll settle in."

The Lady Lions (5-3 overall, 2-2 1A-8) looked settled early when they took a 10-4 advantage, but that quickly evaporated as the Lady Crusaders (8-3 overall, 4-1 1A-8) finished the first half on a 25-4 run.

A 29-14 halftime lead held steady for Seffner Christian for most of the final two quarters, though an injury delay swung the momentum late.

HCA guard Madison Manuel suffered an apparent concussion during a skirmish for the ball around midcourt. With six minutes left, the game was held up 25 minutes as paramedics were called to the scene.

After watching their lone senior get taken off on a stretcher, the Lady Lions responded by twice cutting what was a 17-point deficit down to 11, but could not draw any closer.

Alexandra Hagel had 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block for Seffner Christian, while Sabrina Whiting added 11 points and six steals.

Lady Crusader Head Coach Greg Fawbush noted the magnitude of the win considering these two teams were tied for second in 1A-8 behind Bradenton Christian, who has beaten both clubs.

"That's the worst game we've played all year," Fawbush said. "For us to play this bad and still win; it's our first game back after Christmas, it being cold, traveling on road, it's our first day back at school.

"We're not making excuses. Hernando hustled hard. But you can't complain when you win by 15, 16 points."

Remi Manuel and Chelsea Crawford each had eight points to pace HCA in scoring. Courtney Crawford chipped in six points, 10 rebounds, five steals and three blocks.

"I think that when they went man-to-man, we didn't adjust well," Drummond said. "...I'm proud of my girls. I think they worked real hard going through a lot of adversity, a lot of change.

"I've just got to get them to play hard and playing together is the goal. And we'll get another shot at these guys."

SEFFNER CHRISTIAN 47, HCA 33
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
Seffner Christian 7 22 10 8 - 47
HCA 10 4 8 11- 33
Seffner Christian (47): Bryant 1 0-0 2, Jadlowski 4 0-2 8, Schubel 1 0-0 2, Hagel 8 1-3 19, Whiting 5 0-2 11, Busiglio 2 1-2 5, Brown 0 0-2 0, Evens 0, Wellen 0, Jones 0. Totals 21 2-11 47.
HCA (33): Hanshaw 1 3-6 5, Hogan 0, Co. Crawford 3 0-0 6, M. Manuel 2 2-4 6, R. Manuel 4 0-0 8, Ch. Crawford 4 0-0 8, Sexton 0, Drummond 0, Maldonado 0, Sims 0, Thomas 0. Totals 14 5-10 33.
Three-point field goals: SC 3 (Hagel 2, Whiting); HCA 0.
Total fouls: SC 12; HCA 13.
Technical fouls: none.
Fouled out: none.
Records: Seffner Christian (8-3 overall, 4-1 1A-8), HCA (5-3 overall, 2-2 1A-8).