Fort Lauderdale Dillard runs away from the Tornadoes in the third period to clinch the title.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published March 6, 2004
LAKELAND - After the game Clearwater coach Tom Shaneyfelt tried to get his team to shake off the loss and look forward. But for the Tornadoes, that was simply too tough.
All season, Pinellas County's best team was out to prove it could overcome the departure of Dominique Redding and bring home the school's first state title. But the Tornadoes hit a familiar wall and left disappointed - again.
For the third straight season and fourth time in five years, a school from Fort Lauderdale ended Clearwater's season. Three times before it was South Broward. This time it was Dillard, which put together a strong third quarter to win 58-52 at the Lakeland Center.
The victory gave Panthers coach Marcia Pinder her third state title and first since 1982. Shaneyfelt got his third runner-up trophy.
"You might not have been able to see it a few feet away, but there were some tears from the girls," Shaneyfelt said. "It hurts. It really does. People always want to know whether we're going to win a title one of these days. ...
"But I look at the year-to-year success of the program and what we've been able to do. Maybe it will be different if we come in here as the prohibitive favorite. But right now, I can't find any negatives."
To fulfill its goal, Clearwater (28-3) had to beat a Dillard (28-3) team with few weak spots. The Panthers have been the unanimous pick as the No.1 team in 5A all season. In the region final Dillard knocked off two-time defending state champion Hollywood South Broward for its first state appearance since 2000.
"You want to play the best," Shaneyfelt said. "Dillard has been there right at the top."
Throughout a regular season that included games against ranked teams, the Tornadoes knew they needed to beat a press of the Panther's caliber. To do so and get into a halfcourt game would mean a chance to win.
In the first half Clearwater remained calm. Whenever point guard Nicole Ryan was hassled, she found a way to get the ball to her teammates. Most of her assists went to Rachel Hammond, who scored 12 in the first half, including eight in the second quarter that helped the Tornadoes tie it at 27 at the half.
"Clearwater is a good team," Pinder said. "They have some thoroughbreds, and we knew they weren't going to go away. We just had to put them away."
The Panthers did in the second half.
Dillard went on an 8-3 run to start the third period. Clearwater cut the deficit to 36-34 but never got closer.
Ahead 47-37 in the fourth period, the Panthers had a chance to break it open but were 6-of-24 in free throws in the final five minutes. Clearwater took advantage and went on a 5-0 run to make it 47-42.
But the Tornadoes' comeback chances were hurt when Hammond fouled out with 2:36 remaining. Trailing by five, the Tornadoes managed just two field goals down the stretch as they struggled without their top shooter.
Ryan led the Tornadoes with 17 points, followed by Hammond with 13.
Clearwater can take solace in knowing four of five starters return next season.
"It was sad to see the seniors go, and we're obviously upset that we lost," Ryan said. "But when you put your heart out on the floor, there's not much you can hang your head about."
