Tournament means fresh start

Although Citrus is coming off one of its best regular seasons in going 23-4 overall with a 7-3 record in Class 3A, District 6, the Hurricanes are like every area squad entering its district tournament.

"We're back to 0-0," coach Bruce Nelson said.

Nelson's teams won district titles in 1994 and '95 and went to the final four in 1994, but he said this is the best squad he's had at the end of the year. Katie Steelfox (12.8 points, 5.6 assists), Alycia LePage (9.5 points, 5 assists), Brittney Doyle (7 points, 7.2 rebounds), Nicole Parsons (7, 5.4) and Alexsia Love (6.6, 4.4) are just a handful of the contributors.

"I'll take them with anybody. They're a great bunch of kids," Nelson said. "We started strong and ended strong. Only problem is the tough district. Any other district I'd feel it's a lock."

The senior-laden 'Canes will be looking to send the retiring Nelson out in style. They get a chance to advance to the playoffs with a victory in Thursday's 7 p.m. semifinal at Ocala West Port, as the No. 2 Hurricanes play the winner of today's West Port-Dunnellon match-up. Citrus split with West Port, and Nelson spent Sunday watching tape just in case.

Also in 3A-6, No. 4 Crystal River (12-9, 5-5) meets No. 5 Hernando (8-16, 3-7) at 5:30 today in the first round.

"If we play our game, we should be able to compete," Pirates coach Brent Hall said. "I think everybody's just really focused and wants to do well."

Ja'Vonna Grimsley, Casandra Vega and Jennifer MacRae all average about six rebounds, and Vega is the team's leading scorer at about 13 per game. The Pirates have gotten increased offensive production from Ashley Bullion and Amber Clark.

But Crystal River's defense could be the key.

"They press," Hernando coach Pete Lahey said of the Pirates. "I don't know how well we'll handle the press."

In 4A-7 action, No. 3 Lecanto (12-12, 5-3) plays at Central (19-5, 6-2) in Thursday's 8 p.m. semifinal.

Central has had the upper hand. The Bears beat the Panthers 66-28 on Dec. 6 at Central and 47-40 on Jan. 17 at Lecanto.

"Our biggest thing is not being consistent," Lecanto coach Ron Allan said. "Three weeks ago, I wouldn't have wanted to play us. Now I don't know."

But if history repeats itself, the Panthers could be in good shape. Central swept Lecanto two years ago, but the Panthers won 41-39 in the opening round of the tournament. The teams split last season's series, and the Panthers won 50-48 in the semifinals.

"I know that, they know that, everybody knows that," Allan said. "They're a senior-laden ballclub and we've ended their season the last couple of years, so there's the revenge factor."

A victory puts either squad into the title game, likely against top-seeded Leesburg (7-1).

But with players such as Cortney Stewart, Caroline Rodriguez, Tara Haddock, Kristen Dorn and Lesley Caron showing they can step up and score, the Panthers could surprise Central again.

In A-17, second-seeded Seven Rivers (16-8, 8-1) plays familiar foe and No. 7 Mount Dora Bible today.

"They have been a nemesis," Warriors coach Bryan Ludwick said. "Until we beat them earlier this year, it had been a long string of losses."

Mount Dora beat Seven Rivers 33-32 on Thursday, but Warriors senior Danielle Albury (14.7 points, 12.1 rebounds) sat out the game with a sprained ankle. Albury has practiced and will be back to help Lacey Lyons (18 points, 10.4 rebounds) with the offense.

-- Staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.

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