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Preps

'Canes withstand Bears, secure tie for title

BROOKSVILLE -- Citrus coach Bruce Nelson didn't feel comfortable when his team led by nine with 30 seconds remaining Tuesday at Central.

But he felt a whole lot better with the 'Canes ahead by six, his top player on the free-throw line and only 12 seconds left on the clock.

As Katie Steelfox calmly sank two foul shots, Nelson went up and down his bench, slapping hands with each of his players.

It was a celebration eight years in the making.

Citrus won 57-46 to clinch at least a share of its first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship since 1995.

The 'Canes (19-4 overall, 8-1 GCAC) can win the conference title outright with a victory over Lecanto today or a Central (18-5, 7-2) loss to Crystal River on Thursday.

"This is a huge, huge win for us against just a wonderful team," Nelson said.

Citrus was better, even without one of its top players. With Alycia LePage sidelined with a sprained left ankle, the 'Canes beat the Bears for the second time in a week. Citrus won 61-34 on Jan. 28.

Jorlene White scored 10 points in place of LePage. Brittney Doyle had 12 and picked up the share of LePage's defensive and ball-handling duties.

In a matchup of the conference's top point guards, Steelfox and Central's Sharesa Scott tied for the game high of 19 points. The Bears were without their top rebounder, Thalia Tatham, who had oral surgery.

"It means a lot to have our team go and do this," Steelfox said. "We've been playing together for a while, and this is the kind of season we've been hoping for."

Citrus, relying on the inside scoring of White and Alexsia Love, led 14-4 in the first quarter and 29-15 late in the second. Samantha Downing's layup with 4:46 left in the third capped a 17-2 Central run and put the Bears ahead 32-31.

But Steelfox responded with eight points, including two 3-pointers, in the next two minutes to give Citrus a 39-32 lead. Central got no closer than three the rest of the way.

LePage is expected to rejoin the lineup tonight, which is Senior Night for Citrus.

"We're not going to let Lecanto beat us," Steelfox said.

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