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Preps

Robinson overmatched

CLASS 3A: The Knights never recover from a second-quarter run by Immokalee.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2003

TAMPA -- Neither team seemed happy with the conclusion of Tuesday night's semifinal, though Immokalee had a little more to smile about.

The Indians defeated Robinson 55-31 in a game that began with a sputter and ended with a whimper. Both sides struggled to score as Robinson eked out a 6-4 lead to end the first quarter, but Immokalee went on a scoring run in the second quarter and never looked back.

Even with the Indians ahead by 20 with five minutes left in the game, Immokalee coach John Thomas seemed ready to pull his hair out as he yelled to his players to get their act together.

While Robinson (18-11) seemed a bit resigned at the inevitable loss, Immokalee (30-3) was merely going through the motions.

"It's all how you finish the game," Thomas said. "These girls know I'm a perfectionist, and we had too many turnovers towards the end. I don't like mistakes."

It may not have been a pretty ending for the Indians, but at least they've got another chance. The Knights were in tears after what coach Herman Valdes called "a butt-kicking."

"We matched up during the first quarter, but it wasn't a match after that," Valdes said. "It was a total mismatch."

The Knights had problems scoring, only managing one field goal in the second quarter and three in the third. Though they were much taller and more physical than the Indians, Immokalee's players had a knack for blocking outside shots and forcing turnovers.

"We just weren't scoring," Robinson senior Johnessa Griffin said.

"I thought we could come back in the second half. I thought that in the fourth quarter. But they're quick."

Griffin led the Knights with 14 points and the team's only 3-pointer. Jameshia Harris collected 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Indians were far too deep and well-rounded for the Knights to control. Joanne McCullum and Whitney Brown each scored 16 points, and Leandris Bryant scored nine.

"Our pressure made all the difference," Thomas said. "I knew they (the Knights) didn't have a deep bench and if we kept pressing, they'd eventually wear down."

Immokalee will travel to Fort Myers Bishop Verot, which defeated Pasco 56-30, for the region final.

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