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Preps

One-girl show lifts Warhawks

CLASS 5A: Jen Hansen gets 31 points and 12 rebounds to lead Seminole past Naples Gulf Coast 60-51.

By LAURA LEE
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2003

NAPLES -- Seminole standout Jen Hansen can dismantle a team in the same fashion she builds hers up.

Although Naples Gulf Coast started the game looking more ready than the Warhawks, taking a 7-0 lead, Hansen quickly took over, scoring all but six of Seminole's 32 points in the first half.

That set the tone for Seminole's 60-51 victory against the Sharks in a Class 5A region semifinal.

"Jen kind of got us on our heels for awhile," Gulf Coast coach Pierre Eaton said. "She put a little pressure on our defense, and that got us rattled a bit."

Hansen, who had 12 rebounds and seven assists, led all scorers with 31 points.

Hansen relentlessly attacked the basket, resulting in either two points or a trip to the free-throw line. She was 9-of-10 from the line in the first half, leading the Warhawks to a 32-23 advantage.

The Sharks adjusted to Hansen in the second half, limiting her options and not allowing her any field goals.

But that just opened things up for the rest of the team. The Warhawks continued to find senior forward Beth Taylor under the basket; she finished with 14.

The Sharks, who trailed by as many as 11, made a run midway through the third and into the fourth, outscoring Seminole 19-10.

During the stretch, Gulf Coast (20-10) benefited from 3-pointers as Natalie Boxell and Mary Francis made good from behind the arc and Katie Jenner drained consecutive 3-pointers, helping close the gap to 47-46 with a little more than six minutes to play.

"I thought we were going to roll through it, but we couldn't get the lead," Eaton said.

The Warhawks stuck to their game and had an exceptional night from the free-throw line, shooting 21-of-26.

"I think we stayed together and kept our poise," Seminole coach Dave Swanson said. "I felt we were very prepared for this game tonight."

Seminole (29-2) hosts Clearwater in Saturday's region final. The Warhawks lost to the Tornadoes by six points earlier this season.

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