Best players viewed differently with Bears

Central coach Lori Lessley doesn't want to hear about scoring leaders. If you want to know who is playing well for her team, check their shooting percentages.

"I try to look not at who has the most points," Lessley said, "but who's shooting the best."

So far, it has been an accurate barometer. Through four games, the Bears have gone as far as their shooting has taken them.

Central (3-1) shot 20 percent from the floor in its only loss, 40-32 Monday at Academy of the Holy Names. One night later, the Bears shot 43 percent in a 50-29 victory against Crystal River.

When Central shoots well, it allows it to set up its pressure defense.

"I think we took better shots the second game, shots more in the rhythm of the offense," Lessley said.

"We tried to get as many people touching the ball every possession as we could. Everybody also had opportunities from our press."

Senior guard/forward Samantha Downing took advantage of the extra opportunities, converting 47 percent of her shots for a team-high 19 points in the victory against Crystal River.

Tamara Tatham (43 percent), Sharesa Scott (42 percent) and Thalia Tatham also shot well.

"Right now, we've got four people doing well as far as choosing good shots, in the last game, anyway," Lessley said.

"I think that's why we went better as a team."

DEFENSIVE-MINDED: Defense was critical in Hernando's first two games.

It kept the Leopards (1-1) ahead after their offense sputtered in a 37-24 victory against Lecanto on Nov. 26 and paved the way for a second-half comeback in a 44-39 loss to South Sumter on Tuesday.

With the exception of a 16-point first quarter against Lecanto, a Hernando squad that returned only three varsity players from last season has struggled offensively.

But defense is about hard work and camaraderie, which Hernando has in abundance.

After allowing 12 points to 5-foot-11 center Jondra Jackson and falling behind by 11 in the first half against South Sumter, the Leopards limited Jackson to four second-half points and pulled to within one in the third quarter.

Turnovers and poor shooting kept the Leopards from completing the comeback.

"We played really good defense in the second half," coach Pete Lahey said. "And it takes everybody to do that and put us back in the game."

DAY TO DAY: Hernando point guard Olivia Murray was questionable for Thursday's game at Dunnellon after spraining an ankle against South Sumter.

"She kind of sets the tone for us defensively because she goes after it," Lahey said.

"So it's going to hurt us if she doesn't play."

SHOWING THE WAY: If Springstead coach Evelene Bennett wants an accurate gauge of her team, she needs only to watch senior guards Tena Dunn and Jessica Larocco.

"I believe this season is going to go with my two seniors," Bennett said. "If they're on and playing well, my whole team is going to play well."

Dunn and Larocco take care of most of the ball-handling for Springstead (1-1) and provide pressure from the top of the defense. They also have done most of the team's scoring.

Dunn scored 20 points and Larocco 14 in a 54-27 victory against Hudson on Wednesday. In a 45-34 loss to Crystal River on Nov. 26, Dunn scored a team-high 11 points.

"They're aggressive," Bennett said. "It's their last year, and they want to be successful."

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