NCT: A step too slow

Throughout the first quarter, it appeared Nature Coast would get run out of its own gym by the speedy Pasco guards.

Throughout the second quarter, it seemed the Lady Sharks' size would prove too much for the Lady Pirates to overcome.

So went Thursday night's Class 5A, Region II quarterfinal at Nature Coast.

Visiting Pasco completely blew a 10-0 lead, then got back in front just before halftime and never trailed again in a 61-50 victory.

"Their first step was very quick and obviously our strength is a little more our height," Nature Coast Head Coach Emily Gore said. "We talked about our defensive rotation and we were just a step slow in lot of areas."

The loss denied the Lady Sharks (21-4) a chance to achieve their final season goal, advancing to the Sweet 16.

Instead the Lady Pirates (23-3) will play the champion from their district, Gulf, for the fourth time this year in Tuesday night's semifinals.

"This is a game we could have definitely won," Gore said. "We're disappointed with the outcome. The girls are pretty emotional about it. But when they're less upset they'll look back and realize we had a pretty good season."

Pasco scored the game's first 10 points in an impressive first quarter. Nature Coast didn't get on the board until Je'Nel Yore hit a long jumper with 1:42 to go in the period.

However, the Lady Sharks responded with a 15-2 surge that lasted deep into the second quarter and actually put them in front.

When point guard Carcy Bossey found Lyndsey Pospisil for a layup on an out of bounds play underneath the basket, Nature Coast led 13-12 with 4:38 left in the half.

That advantage reached 15-12 before the Lady Pirates fought back to hold a slim lead at intermission, 23-21.

Pospisil had nine points in the second quarter and 11 in the half, and Pasco Head Coach Troy Moore noted how the 6-foot-1 senior center wreaked havoc in the paint early.

"The first half they kind of neutralized us with good ball movement," Moore said. "In the second half we made an adjustment, backed up a little bit; let them come to us so we could attack with our quickness."

Still Pospisil managed to score six points in the third and 21 for the game. Yet the Lady Sharks had difficulty stopping the Lady Pirates.

After tying the game at 27, Nature Coast found itself trying to mount a comeback the rest of the way.

A layup by Pospisil cut the deficit to four, 49-45, with less than four remaining in the fourth quarter.

Pasco point guard Brianca Roberts drove and hit Ashley Webster for a layup then stole the ball and scored herself to quickly double the lead.

Roberts converted both ends of a one-and-one at the 2:01 mark to make it 55-45 and essentially seal the Lady Pirates' first regional triumph since 2003.

"It's been a while since we got our first playoff victory," Moore said. "It's nice to do it for the team, the community, for the kids. It lets them know we can compete."

Allahon Marbra paced Pasco with 23 points, followed by Roberts' 22. Webster posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Raven Johnson added 10 rebounds.

Aside from Pospisil, who pulled down six rebounds, senior Courtney Crawford collected 12 boards and six assists. However, she injured a knee at the end of the first half and was held to seven points.

Bossey, another senior, tallied six assists and three steals in her final prep contest.

"I'm proud of the effort the girls put forth tonight," Gore said. "We knew coming in Pasco would be a tough opponent and to come out and score four points in the first quarter, that worries you as a coach.

"But it was fun to watch them play in the second quarter. The intensity went up; they played with a lot of energy. We just couldn't quite sustain that the entire game."

Pasco 61, Nature Coast 50

Pasco (61): A. Marbra 9 5-5 23, Johnson 1 0-0 2, Webster 4 2-2 10, Roberts 5 10-12 22, McKenzie 2 0-3 4, Nathe 0, Harmon 0. Totals 21 17-22 61.

Nature Coast (50): Holmes 1 0-0 2, Crawford 2 3-4 7, Pospisil 9 3-5 21, Bossey 2 2-2 6, Je'Nay Yore 2 1-2 5, Je'Nel Yore 3 0-0 7, Lamberson 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 9-13 50.

Three-point field goals: PAS 2 (Roberts 2); NCT 1 (Je'Nel Yore).

Total fouls: PAS 12; NCT 17.

Technical fouls: none.

Fouled out: none.

Records: Pasco (23-3), Nature Coast (21-4).