PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rachel Hammond, Clearwater COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Quarto, Gulf
FIRST TEAM
ERIQAH BUTLER, JR. 5-10, C, PLANT
Panthers center averaged 13 points and nine rebounds through the regular season but raised her game several notches in her final 10 games, averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds. In the end, Plant finished 25-2 and two victories from the state final four.
COACH CARRIE MAHON: "This season was Eriqah's coming-out party. I knew she had the ability to rebound and score at will, but she didn't turn up to that level until the last 10 games.
TIARA COOK, JR., 6-0, C, GULF
The quick, athletic junior was the focal point on the county's most dominant squad. She scored a team-high 19.1 points a game and led the county with averages of 10.7 rebounds and three blocks. Her performance helped the Buccaneers to their first Sunshine Athletic Conference and district title.
COACH MIKE QUARTO: "Tiara was the difference for us. She can do it all. She blocks shots and has a presence in the middle, but she can also run as fast as any guard."
LACEY LYONS, JR., 5-10, G, SEVEN RIVERS CHRISTIAN
Nicknamed Lights Out, Lyons has garnered the attention of many colleges, including Miami, Furman, Villanova, Brown and Stetson, with her ability to score and elevate teams. She led Citrus County, averaging 24.3 points, 7.9 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 4.1 steals. Lyons transferred from Class 4A Crystal River to be closer to friends and in a more intimate academic environment. She is the do-every-thing player who led the Warriors to the regional semifinals, dealing with triple teams on a regular basis.
COACH SCOTT SWANDER: "I don't think there's another player who plays under the pressure she has. I don't think other girls are in her kind of position because she's asked to do it all."
STHEFANY THOMAS, SO., 5-9, G/F, WESLEY CHAPEL
Pasco County's leading scorer at 27.8 ppg, Thomas helped the Wildcats to their first winning record and second straight playoff appearance. She also nearly pulled off Wesley Chapel's first playoff victory, scoring 22 in a 37-36 loss to Lecanto in a region quarterfinal thatended with Thomas missing a winning
shot as time expired. More than just aflashy, take-it-to-the-hole scorer, Thomas also averaged 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
COACH WARREN JONES: "She's a very talented player, especially for being so young."
TIFFANY WILLIAMS, JR., 5-7, G, BOCA CIEGA
The team leader at point guard, Williams led the Pirates with 14.8 points per game and 6.5 assists, and proved to be a top defender. She was big in the big games. In the Pinellas County Athletic Championship against Clearwater, she scored 29 points. In the game to secure the PCAC berth, she had 15. In the district championship, she scored 26. Her quickness and ability to distribute made her a dual threat as she led the Pirates to 14 straight wins to end the regular season.
COACH WILL WHITE: "She's worked hard to make it look easy. She has an instinct for the game that is not coachable. I swear she has basketball ESP."
SECOND TEAM
Gabby Gattuso, Sr., 6-0, C, Indian Rocks Christian
Jessica Piggott, Sr., 5-9, C-F, Wharton
Chelsea Patterson, Jr., 5-6, G, Seminole
Mallory Freeman, Sr., 5-9, F, Nature Coast Tech
Gianna Messina, So., 5-5, G, Academy of Holy Names
