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The Bayshore Christian senior becomes only the third county girl to reach the milestone.
By MIKE READLING, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 16, 2002
TAMPA -- Fittingly, it came on a rebound.
With 6 seconds remaining in the first half of Bayshore Christian's game against Riverhills Christian, Ericka Womack grabbed a rebound -- one of eight on the night -- off the front of the rim, took one step and laid in her 2,000th career point.
The basket did more than give Bayshore a 32-8 lead. It summed up a career that began in seventh grade and propelled the Faith Warriors senior into an elite group of scorers that includes only two other county girls.
Academy of the Holy Names' Sherisha Hills is the all-time leader with 2,539 points, and former Bayshore Christian and King player Anika Blocker also finished her career with more than 2,000. "I was so nervous. So rattled," Womack said. "I was so nervous all day. That's why I didn't make any of my layups. Every time I was thinking to myself, "I want to make this so bad.' I just wanted to get it over with."
It finally happened just before halftime when Stevi Cherry missed from the baseline. The ball fell right to Womack, who was assisted by a collision of Falcons players.
The ensuing basket kicked off a minor celebration in front of the Bayshore bench, dampened by the fact Riverhills' Marie Williams was injured on the play and required medical attention. The festivities included a quick speech by head coach David Volpe, who stopped the game to present Womack with the game ball and an acrylic case. During the timeout, she also received a jar of 2,000 M&M's, a dozen roses and a bouquet of flowers, not to mention a hug from her father, Ty, who was keeping stats on the Faith Warriors' bench.
Womack's mother, Belinda, sang the national anthem before the game and updated a tote board, counting down the 19 points Womack needed to reach 2,000.
"When I saw Stevi miss, the two girls kind of just flew out of the way, they just parted," Womack said. "I was thinking, "I have to make this. I only have two points left, I have to make it."'
Bayshore went on to win 46-21. The game wasn't that close because Riverhills scored 13 points in the fourth quarter after being shut out in the third.
Womack finished with 25 points and went on with some more pressing business, changing into a cheerleader's outfit to cheer for the boys game that followed.
"This is the fun part," said Womack, a first-year cheerleader. "This is the part where I don't have to worry about anything. I just get to have fun."