Clearwater stays perfect in district

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published January 26, 2005

CLEARWATER - Tom Shaneyfelt had to think hard and long about the last time Clearwater (19-3) lost a district game. Then it came to him: It was when Largo's Dee Feazell hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in 2000.

"It's a good thing, not a bad thing, that it's hard to remember," Shaneyfelt said.

And though another Feazell was on the court for Largo on Tuesday night, Clearwater improved to 9-0 in 5A District 9 with its 57-44 win against the Packers (18-5).

"It's been a while since we lost a district game," Shaneyfelt said. "But it's also hard because we know everybody gets fired up to play us. The girls tonight could see it was still time to get down to business."

Tashyra Feazell (10 points, three assists) hit a game-opening 3-pointer for Largo, which looked quicker out of the gate despite ending the first quarter in a tie at 15. The Packers' box-and-one defense slowed Tornado Rachel Hammond in the first half, and Largo led 26-23 at halftime.

"We had a good first half," Largo coach Leonard Williams said. "We didn't have a very good second half."

"We just started the game a little complacent," Shaneyfelt said. "Halftime adjustments were made. We were making the extra pass when we didn't have to."

Hammond helped propel the Tornadoes to an 8-0 run midway through the third quarter on her way to a game-high 18 points, and Clearwater led by eight to start the fourth quarter. Its man-to-man defense stifled Largo offensive leader Alixis Henry, who finished with four points.

The Packers got within three halfway through the fourth quarter before state No. 4 Clearwater got the free-throw bonus and pulled away.

Heather Barber scored nine and led Clearwater with 12 rebounds. Karen Braden had 17 points. Brittany Carannante led Largo with 11 points and Ebony Walker had 10 rebounds.

"It's disappointing for us, but all we can do is get stronger," Williams said.

[Last modified January 26, 2005, 00:14:07]