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BOB PUTNAMAlthough Clearwater had the highest-profile departure - Dominique Redding - other teams are working to fill voids left by their go-to players.
Clearwater coach Tom Shaneyfelt knew this day would come.
Dominique Redding is gone.
Redding, the Times County Player of the Year three of the past four seasons, graduated in June and is playing for the University of Tennessee. During her career with the Tornadoes, she won four conference titles, four district titles and led her team to the state semifinals three times.
"I appreciate all that Dominique did for us in her career, especially now that she is not here," Shaneyfelt said. "She's definitely a tough one to replace."
But Redding's void has not been much of a gain for other teams. Many of them also are feeling a sense of loss.
Boca Ciega's Kelcey Rogiers-Jensen, Seminole's Jen Hansen, Largo's Sheena Walton, all first-team all-county selections last season, have graduated. Nine other teams also lost their go-to player.
Those who coach aren't familiar either. Seven of the 16 public schools have new coaches.
With so many changes, the status of girls basketball in the county seems unclear. Coaches are scratching their heads, adapting to new classifications and districts as well as trying to find replacements in the lineup.
Welcome to girls basketball 2003-04, a topsy-turvy season in which anything seems possible.
"It seems like everyone is in the same boat," Seminole coach Dave Swanson said. "No one has that top player they can turn to whenever they are in trouble."
Despite having his best player leave and losing two other starters to graduation, Shaneyfelt isn't ready to cue the violins.
"It's a new beginning for everybody," Shaneyfelt said. "But we're putting the losses of players behind us and focusing on what we have. I like this team. These girls know all about our tradition of success and are hungry for the opportunity."
Shaneyfelt sees success for his young team with a pair of junior guards, Nicole Ryan and Rachel Hammond, helping to fill the leadership vacuum created by the departure of Redding.
Ryan has developed into one of the better point guards in the state and excels defensively. It'll be her responsibility to get teammates more involved, including Hammond, who is a solid shooter.
"There's more team unity this year," Ryan said. "We never had the mind-set that Dominique was going to bail us out in games, but that's what usually happened. We're not going to rely on one person."
Besides experience in the backcourt, the Tornadoes also have dependable forces in the lane with a pair of 6-foot junior post players, Heather Barber and Danielle Kostacky. Another junior, 5-11 Sam Flowers, can come off the bench to spell Barber and Kostacky.
With three players who can camp beneath the basket, Hammond will have plenty of opportunities to step out and shoot.
"We're all coming into the season knowing we have to step up and do our part," Hammond said. "I think we're going to surprise some people with the talent we have."
A young team with a promising future, Clearwater is playing a tough schedule in hopes of making another appearance in the state semifinals after four fruitless trips the past six seasons.
That hasn't changed.
"We're not just content with winning," Ryan said. "We expect to be among the top teams in the state and continue the success here."