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Unlike two years ago, this Clearwater team has the offensive weapons to face South Broward's 2-3 matchup zone defense.
By JOHN SCHWARB, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2002
CLEARWATER -- Natalie Wilkinson held the ball at midcourt, content to do absolutely nothing. Hollywood South Broward was content to watch.
Clearwater wanted no part of the Bulldogs in the Class 5A state semifinals two years ago. But the 2001-02 Tornadoes are a different bunch, as evidenced by their 33-1 record and the fact that they are playing for the school's first girls basketball state title. This matchup should be different, and perhaps the outcome will be as well. Tonight will reveal the answer.
Clearwater, ranked No. 2 in the state, will take on top-ranked South Broward for the 5A championship at 7. On the surface, some might call it a rematch of the 37-35 game won two years ago by the Bulldogs, but the Tornadoes know better.
"There's no fear," junior forward Dominique Redding said. "They're a good team, but they're beatable. We just have to play our A game."
South Broward has won two consecutive titles and three of the last four in 5A, and this year has been all but unbeatable. Its 30-3 record is only blemished by a December four-point loss to 6A regional finalist Fort Lauderdale Dillard, a six-point loss to Jacksonville Ribault (the closest game the 36-0 Trojans have played) and a four-point loss to a state championship team from Kentucky.
The Bulldogs' success derives from relentless rebounding and a terrific 2-3 matchup zone. Two years ago, Clearwater wanted none of the latter, opting to hold the ball for the entire first quarter and not attempt a single shot.
Eventually the Tornadoes did engage South Broward, losing by two points when Charlene Wilson hit a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left.
"That game, we just didn't feel like we had that many offensive weapons," Clearwater coach Tom Shaneyfelt said. "If they wanted to sit there for a while and shorten the game, that would be okay for us.
"It's not something you want to do as a coach, I just felt that was our only chance of winning that day. We're not going to do that this time, we're going to play. We have good offensive weapons."
Indeed, Clearwater has compiled a gaudy season of its own, with one loss to Bradenton Southeast and 32 double-digit victories. In its 63-53 win Wednesday against Winter Springs, the confident freshman trio of Karen Braden, Rachel Hammond and Nicole Ryan made their mark with 28 points and 14 rebounds.
"I'll be very surprised if our kids don't come out and play well," Shaneyfelt said.
"The bigger the game, the bigger the challenge this year, the better they've done."
WHO: Clearwater (33-1) vs. Hollywood South Broward (30-3)
WHEN: Tonight, 7
WHERE: The Lakeland Center
ADMISSION: $6
GETTING THERE: Take Interstate 4 east to exit 17 (Kathleen Road). Turn right on Kathleen and continue to Sikes Boulevard. Bear right at yield sign and turn right at second light (Lime Street). Arena will be on right.
COACHES: Clearwater, Tom Shaneyfelt (ninth year, 232-57); South Broward, Abby Ward (11th year, 269-51).
PROBABLE STARTERS: Clearwater -- Dominique Redding, F, 6-1, Jr. (22.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg); Kasie Muchler, G, 5-7, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 34 3-pointers); Karen Braden, F, 6-0, Fr. (8.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg); Nicole Ryan, G, 5-9, Fr. (8.3 ppg, 7.6 apg); Karley Counts, G, 5-9, So. (8.1 ppg, 53 3-pointers). South Broward -- Tamara James, F, 5-10, Sr. (21.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg); Laquetta Ferguson, F, 5-8, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Keunta Miles, C, 6-0, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Lashaunda Slade, G, 5-4, Jr. (7.4 ppg, 6.0 apg); Natavia Osgood, G, 5-6, Sr. (3.6 rpg, 3.0 apg).
TODAY'S OTHER GAMES: Class A -- Winter Haven All Saints' Academy vs. Miami Northwest Christian, noon; Class 3A -- Fort Myers Bishop Verot vs. Miami Monsignor Pace, 3:30 p.m.