It was one of those nights when everything seemed to go wrong, then right, then wrong again.
Nature Coast Tech missed its first 21 field-goal attempts and fell behind 22-0 before storming back to take two fourth-quarter leads Jan. 8 at Lecanto. But the Sharks missed shots down the stretch, and Shannon Haas' two free throws in the final 30 seconds lifted the Panthers to a 41-39 victory.
The win was Lecanto's second over Nature Coast (7-7) by a combined five points. It cost the Sharks, who slipped two games behind the Panthers, a chance at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference title.
"For us, it was our conference championship game," Nature Coast coach Jason Montgomery said. "Basically, had we won that game, we would have controlled our own destiny for conference. Now, we're probably realistically playing for second."
A FIRST: Improved ball-handling and shooting helped Hernando (1-9) pick up its first win, 52-39 over Central on Thursday.
After committing 17 turnovers in the first half, including 12 in the opening quarter, the Leopards had only five in the second half. They made 63 percent (19 of 30) free throws, their best mark of the season.
Sophia Gill scored a game-high 16 points. Leslie Young had 12. Kori Frederick, Sonni Gill and Charleta Williams each recorded six.
"That's the first time we played four quarters together," Hernando coach Pete Lahey said, "so this was a big win for us."
IN A FUNK: Poor shooting plagued Central in losses to Clermont East Ridge, Hernando and Crystal River.
Central (3-10) held East Ridge to 38 points Jan. 6 but missed 10 of 22 free throws in a 38-24 loss. The Bears missed 14 of 32 attempts Thursday against Hernando.
"Offensively, we're not converting," coach Lori Lessley said.
HEARTBREAKER: Springstead (2-9) held Lecanto to six second-half points Friday but scored only three in a 31-18 loss coach Bill Meneely called "probably the most frustrating game of the year."
"The kids played so hard that game and did such a great job," Meneely said. "It's tough to see that loss."
SPED UP: Hernando Christian Academy (0-4) played most of the final two quarters of Friday's 71-29 loss to Seven Rivers Christian with a running clock.
It went into effect after the young Lions fell behind by 35 points early in the third quarter.
"It hurts when you're in that predicament," coach Susan Seidelmann said. "Some teams can be gracious and some can use it as a strategy, but I don't see it as real game strategy."
