NCT, HCA only one win away

This week, girls basketball will take its turn holding district tournaments throughout the state, and Hernando County teams will be in action as early as Tuesday.

But for two local squads, the focus already is on Thursday.

Nature Coast, after dropping its initial district contest to Tavares, reeled off nine straight wins in Class 5A, District 7 to finish atop the standings.

As a result, the Lady Sharks (19-3) earned the top seed in the 5A-7 Tournament held at Eustis High and a bye into a semifinal Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Of course, Nature Coast has hardly flown under the radar this season.

What might blindside people is the other county club in a strong position to advance to regionals next week — Hernando Christian Academy.

No, the Lady Lions (11-9) haven't grabbed many headlines, but they earned the second seed in the Class 2A, District 8 Tournament at Tampa-Cambridge Christian.

In the five-team event, HCA won't take the court until a semifinal against third-seeded Citrus Park Christian Thursday at 6 p.m.

The Lady Lions finished the regular season Friday night with their sixth victory in a row. That streak included a 54-44 win Jan. 20 at Citrus Park Christian.

On Dec. 9, HCA hosted Citrus Park Christian and also came away triumphant, 59-36.

"It's a tough thing to have to face Citrus Park one more time. It's always difficult to beat a team three times in a row," HCA Head Coach Mike Drummond said.

"I think (against Citrus Park Christian) our shooting percentage was up higher than what we normally do. Definitely being able to break their press and score both of those games helped a lot."

Senior guard/forward Rebecca Maldonado has paced the Lady Lions, averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 steals before Friday night's game.

Guard/forward Heather Drummond (7.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals), centers Kaitlyn Lowe (6.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals) and Ashley McKay (4.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals), and point guard Briana Hogan (5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 steals) have also been key contributors.

All are seniors except for the junior, McKay, and that fact demonstrates where Coach Drummond feels his team has the edge over Thursday's opponent.

"I think we're not quite as athletic as they are," Drummond said. "But I think we have a little more game savvy; just a little more experience."

The winner between HCA and Citrus Park Christian will almost assuredly take on the first seed, Academy at the Lakes, in Friday's 7 p.m. title tilt.

For perspective, consider that the Lady Lions, despite compiling the second-best district mark, were outscored in two meetings with Academy at the Lakes by a combined 157-26.

So realistically, HCA will have to settle for a legitimate shot at only the second regional berth in program history, the previous one coming in 2008.

"Here we (HCA and Citrus Park Christian) are in a situation we both desired, avoiding Academy at the Lakes in the semifinals," Coach Drummond said. "But our reward is having to play Academy at the Lakes and once we get through the championship game we have to play another district champion.

"But I'll take that any day of the week. I don't care what the odds are against us; it's an opportunity you don't get very often."

If the Lady Lions are hot, the Lady Sharks are scorching. They concluded the regular-season slate Friday night with their eighth win a row.

Prior to two losses to Gulf and Mitchell in the Hernando High Holiday Classic, Nature Coast also won eight straight.

"We've been on a little bit of a winning streak since the Christmas tournament. We've had a good comeback from the losses there," Nature Coast Head Coach Emily Gore said.

"But we know where we're at now isn't good enough. Right now, we're working as hard as possible to continue to get better each day."

Thursday's semifinal will feature an intriguing matchup one way or another. The Lady Sharks will either face fourth-seeded Eustis, the tournament host, or fifth-seeded Hernando, a county rival.

Then there is the potential for a rubber match with the second seed, Tavares, in Saturday's 7 p.m. championship game.

Tavares got the better of Nature Coast at home on Nov. 29, 38-31, but was not as successful in the second meeting in Brooksville. The Lady Sharks captured that Dec. 16 battle, 43-35.

"I think it's a tough district," Gore said. "Any team can play great one night to pull out a victory. We have to stay honest and stay focused.

"At the same time, we're not looking past the district, but we know we have to get better. We don't only want to win the district championship, but we want to go to the Sweet 16."

Nature Coast has dominated with its tall and senior-laden lineup. At the forefront are Lyndsey Pospisil (11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.2 steals before Friday's game against Central) and Courtney Crawford (10.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 1.0 blocks).

Another tall senior, forward Amy Holmes (8.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals), has returned this past week after missing time with a left ankle injury.

Senior point guard Carcy Bossey (6.0 points, 6.0 assists, 3.2 steals) has played a major role in the Lady Sharks' resurgence, as well.

Nature Coast has missed out on regionals the past two campaigns after making it each of its first six seasons.

"They've gained a lot of experience over four years of playing basketball and I think they understand the district is in our control, and in a sense we can only beat ourselves," Gore said.

"If we play our best, we should win the district. But saying that and doing that is two different things."

Hernando (11-14) may yet have something to say about the Lady Sharks claiming the district crown. The Lady Leopards first play Eustis Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

"Every time you play a team that's hosting districts in the first round, they're going to be pumped up," Hernando Head Coach Kevin Bittinger said. "We've got to find a way to match their level of intensity.

"If we start well, we usually finish well. The first four minutes of the game will be huge. If we start to develop confidence, good things will start happening."

Bittinger said the Lady Leopards must get consistent play from their point guards and strong scoring efforts from senior guards Remi Manuel (13.2 points before Friday) and Kristen Jones (5.8 points) to compliment the team's typically stout defense.

In the 6A-6 Tournament, fourth-seeded Central (6-14) will host fifth-seeded Springstead (4-18) in a play-in game Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The winner faces top-seed Citrus at Ocala-West Port Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Lady Eagles may have some momentum after a stunning 42-33 win over Hernando Friday night.

First-year Weeki Wachee (0-18) will gets its initial taste of postseason play in the 4A-6 Tournament at Mount Dora.

As the fifth seed, the Lady Hornets take on fourth-seeded Umatilla Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.