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Lecanto isn't fazed by Central's speed or its fullcourt press and will try to slow the game down.
By FRANK PASTOR
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 6, 2002
BROOKSVILLE -- Central's strength lies in its ability to create turnovers off the press and convert them into layups.
But the Bears might not have those opportunities in Thursday night's 4A-7 semifinal against Lecanto, one of the few teams capable of forcing them into a halfcourt game.
Second-seeded Central will play the No. 3 Panthers at 7:30 at Lecanto. Fourth-seeded Springstead will meet No. 1 Leesburg at 6.
The winner of each game will advance to the region tournament -- something Central hasn't done in Lori Lessley's seven seasons as a head coach or assistant at the school.
Last year's spoiler? The Panthers.
"They handle our press well, and our press isn't as effective so it turns into a halfcourt game," Lessley said.
"Our speed isn't as advantageous in a halfcourt game as it is in our press," she said. "And they can take advantage of our lack of height a little bit better."
The Bears defeated Lecanto twice last season before losing 41-39 in a district semifinal. Lesley Caron and Erin Bailey each made two free throws in the final minute to seal the Panthers' victory. Central had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but Sharesa Scott's jumper fell short.
The two meetings between the teams this year were equally exciting.
Samantha Downing made a couple of late free throws to ice the Bears' 50-48 win Dec. 4 at Central.
Cortney Stewart's 10 points helped the Panthers return the favor, 45-41, Jan. 24 at Lecanto.
The squads are so evenly matched they finished with identical district records (3-3). Central was awarded the better seed because of a higher overall winning percentage. The Bears are the hotter team. After a season-high four-game losing streak, Central (17-7) closed with four straight wins, including decisions over Citrus, Academy of the Holy Names and River Ridge on consecutive nights.
Tamara Tatham scored a career-high 30 points in the Bears' 57-55 overtime victory against the Hurricanes on Jan. 29.
"At the beginning of the season when we won some close games, a lot of things went our way, Lessley said. "When we lost those games, things didn't exactly fall into place for us."
Lecanto lost its last three, but Lessley isn't looking past the Panthers. She knows how quickly they can take charge of a game.
"I think we just have to take care of the ball and do well in our halfcourt offense, because I think it's going to turn into a halfcourt game," Lessley said.
"We don't want it to. We want to press and get transition baskets."
- Staff writer Frank Pastor can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1430. Send e-mail to pastor@sptimes.com.