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Tornadoes' bench led by youngsters

Nicole Ryan, Karen Braden and Rachel Hammond are keys to Clearwater's title hopes.

By JOHN SCHWARB, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 23, 2002

CLEARWATER -- By this point, one can forget the label. Clearwater's freshmen might still live up to the title in the halls and the classrooms, but not on the basketball court.

When you've played 32 games and advanced to within one game of the state tournament, it's time for a new title. Anything but freshman.

"It doesn't seem like that anymore," Nicole Ryan said. "It seems like I've been going for a while."

If these young Tornadoes last a while longer, they might be able to just paste champion over that freshman label. But win or lose, no one will overlook Ryan, Karen Braden and Rachel Hammond anymore.

They're freshmen by eligibility, but that's about it.

"It was obvious pretty early on that they were going to be pretty good players, it was just a matter of getting them the experience," Clearwater coach Tom Shaneyfelt said. "They've all played real significant minutes, really from the beginning."

Clearwater returned three starters from last year in Dominique Redding, Kasie Muchler and Karley Counts, so it was obvious some younger players would have to step in. But the three ninth-graders in particular have stepped in and stepped up, filling vital roles for the No. 2 team in Class 5A.

Braden has filled a starting role as a 6-foot post presence, pulling down 6.4 rebounds per game, second only to Redding. Her 8.7 points per game ties her for third on the team with Hammond, a classic sixth man who comes off the bench to provide tenacious wing defense and productive offense. Ryan is the ringleader of it all from her spot as starting point guard, with 7.5 assists per game.

For the Tornadoes, who play Fort Myers tonight in the regional final, the underclassmen (six freshmen and five sophomores) have taken pressure off Redding, the big gun of the team.

Up to this point, Clearwater has played the maximum amount of games allowed, 32, so even reserves have tallied minutes rivaling teams that played 20 or so games and bowed out weeks ago. None are uncomfortable and, to this point, they've been all but unbeatable.

"We definitely came in with confidence," Hammond said. "It's great -- being this deep is just better. Everyone's just working really hard."

Hard enough to not be called freshmen anymore.

GIRLS BASKETBALL REGIONAL FINAL

WHO: Fort Myers (28-5) at Clearwater (31-1)

WHEN: 7:30 tonight

ADMISSION: $5

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Clearwater beat Boca Ciega 68-47 and Punta Gorda Charlotte 71-46; Fort Myers beat Cape Coral Mariner 45-36 and Largo 70-58.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Clearwater -- Dominique Redding, F, 6-1, Jr. (21.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg); Kasie Muchler, G, 5-7, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 32 3-pointers); Karen Braden, F, 6-0, Fr. (8.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Nicole Ryan, G, 5-9, Fr. (8.5 ppg, 7.5 apg); Karley Counts, G, 5-9, So. (8.4 ppg, 53 3-pointers). Fort Myers -- Cookie Guadelupe, G, Sr.; Jennifer Catti, F, Jr.; Kendra Green, F, Sr.; Bridget McGill, G, Jr.; Katie Clifford, C, Jr.

OUTLOOK: Like many games this season, Clearwater jumped out quickly against Charlotte, building a 41-18 lead. To guard against that, Fort Myers will likely slow down the pace just like in its game against Largo. Green Wave forward Jennifer Catti scored 22 points and was effective on the boards against the Packers, and might match up against Redding. The junior's line of 15 points, five blocks and three steals against Charlotte was much more familiar than the two points she scored in the regional quarterfinals against Boca Ciega. Kendra Green can stroke it for Fort Myers (three 3-pointers vs. Largo), but Clearwater probably has more perimeter threats. Homecourt could play a factor here, as Fort Myers is traveling for the first time.

UP NEXT: The winner advances to the state semifinals Wednesday at the Lakeland Center.

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