SEMINOLE - Largo coach Leonard Williams knows the fortunes of his team revolve around three freshmen and two sophomores.
Making sure his young players are not glued to the bench, Williams has given them pivotal roles, ensuring the Packers will go through a series of highs and lows as they learn by trial and error.
On Wednesday they erred. Traveling to Seminole for a conference game, Largo lost 58-49.
"We have some kids who are playing varsity basketball for the first time, and they didn't handle the pressure tonight," Williams said. "We just couldn't stop them."
The growing pains pertained mostly to the Packers' inability to handle the Warhawks' guards, particularly Chelsea Patterson and Alli Fogle. With starter Laura Palmeri out with the flu, Patterson and Fogle came through.
The two relied on lights-out shooting and in-your-face defense to outscore Largo in each of the first three quarters.
"The play of our guards has been the story for us all year," Seminole coach Dave Swanson said. "Chelsea and Alli both took command and shot the ball well."
Patterson and Fogle each scored 20 and combined to hit all five of the Warhawks' 3-pointers. Seminole (15-2) also got contributions from two post players, Carrie Conley (12 points) and Jess Sanfilippo (six points).
Ahead by double-digits most of the game, the Warhawks watched as Largo rallied to cut the deficit to seven twice in the fourth quarter. Despite Largo scoring 21 in the fourth quarter, Seminole was able to hold on thanks to layups by Patterson and Fogle and clutch free throws by Conley.
"I thought we did a nice job of holding off their momentum," Swanson said. "We really prevented (Largo) from running up and down the court, which is what they like to do."
Since coming back from the holidays the Warhawks are 5-0, including wins over district contenders Pinellas Park and Boca Ciega.
Seminole's next big test is a district rematch with the Pirates on Jan.29 and an away game against Clearwater on Feb.2 that could ultimately decide which team represents the North division in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference title game.
