Walton wraps up a successful sophomore season with Spartans
By NANCY MORGAN
Published April 9, 2006
Tom Jessee , women's basketball coach at the University of Tampa, calls Shaneisha Walton (Largo/Appalachian State) a stat stuffer. Walton says she just comes out to play.
Based on this season's results, both fourth-year year coach Jessee and Walton are correct.
The sophomore led the Spartans in scoring with a 14.8 average and collected 105 blocked shots, the school's single-season best. She collected 11 double doubles this season and scored in double figures 24 times.
"Shaneisha is unbelievably talented in so many areas," Jessee said. "Some players fill up one stat, but Sheena fills up all the stats. She's seventh in the league in free throws, fifth in rebounds and sixth in the country in blocked shots.
"In the NCAA, Sheena was in the top 20 percent in field goal percentage. It's a gift."
Last year, Walton was named Sunshine State Conference Freshman Player of the Year after leading the conference in blocks, finishing third in field goal percentage and fourth in both offensive and defensive rebounds.
This year, she picked up where she left off and added Tampa's first SSC title since 2000, when the Spartans beat undefeated Rollins 56-47 in the final.
Walton posted a career-high eight blocks against Rollins, three in the first eight minutes, and a team-high eight rebounds along with eight points. She was named to the SSC all-tournament team.
"It was just a wonderful feeling for all of us to win the conference," said Walton, 21. "Basketball is sort of in my blood, since my dad played in high school and my grandmother on my dad's side played.
"I like defense best and really take pride in blocking shots. It's all about timing and studying your opponent to get a good block."
Walton started playing basketball in the seventh grade at Largo Middle. Once she took to the court, Walton played no other sport.
A growth spurt her sophomore year of high school shot Walton up to 6-foot-4 and center became her position of choice.
"You've got to be powerful and tough to play the center position," Walton said. "Having soft hands is important, too, because you're so close to the basket."
Walton, who is soft spoken and reserved off the court, intimidates her opponents with her aggressive defensive and offensive, especially under the basket. In two seasons, Walton has collected 266 rebounds to average 8.6 per game.
Walton was named to the Daktronics All-South Region team, only the fifth in Tampa history and first since 2000.
"Next year, Sheena is a frontrunner for Player of the Year and a potential All-American," Jessee said.
"There's always room for improvement, and we'll expect more of the same from Sheena, plus more leadership. We are extremely proud of her growth as a player and a student at Tampa."
SOCCER: Freshman Brian Shriver (Clearwater) and his North Carolina teammates will be in the area next weekend to compete in the annual Countryside International Easter Soccer Tournament.
The midfielder played in all 24 games, starting six, and scored five goals.
TRACK AND FIELD: Junior Ash lee Kidd (St. Petersburg) recovered from an injured hamstring suffered in the ACC Championships to run a NCAA Region qualifying time in the 400 meters and finish second for Georgia Tech in its Yellow Jacket Invitational.
Florida senior Kayne DaKoski (Palm Harbor University/Florida/Miami, Ohio) recorded the school's second-best score in the decathlon at the Florida State Relays with 7,211 points. DaKoski was first in the 110 hurdles, javelin and 1,500 meters and second in the discus and pole vault.
Kallinka Pitt (Seminole), Pinellas County's champion in the long jump and 110 hurdles in 2005, is a freshman on Florida's team.
SWIMMING: Georgia graduate Robert Margalis (Clearwater) placed fourth in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:02.41 in the USA Nationals held in Federal Way, Wash.
SOFTBALL: Jess Byrn (Countryside) was named New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week after her three appearances for Babson College during a spring break tournament in Fort Myers.
The sophomore struck out 33 in 21 innings and allowed one run in 17 hits to post a 0.33 ERA.
Byrn pitched two shutouts, a 4-0 win over Bethel and a 2-0 victory over Fredonia. In a 6-1 win over SUNY New Paltz, Byrn helped herself with a bases-loaded single to score two runs.
Freshman Allison Kidman (Countryside) has played in 16 games for No.12 Michigan and scored six runs. Kidman collected her first career hit and a run in a 10-2 win over DePaul.
Leftfielder Kit Dunbar (Countryside) was one of five Western Kentucky players to collect hits in a contest with Indiana. The sophomore connected for a single, stole second and came home on a double to tie it at 3. The Hilltoppers went on to win 4-3.
Maryland right-hander Crystal Crews (Countryside/Georgia/Indian River CC) recorded 11 strikeouts in 8.4 innings in a 4-1 win over N.C. State.
TENNIS: Sophomore Alex Liles (Saddlebrook) of Largo has collected a 9-1 singles record in No.5 or No.6 positions for Florida. Against Auburn, Liles scored a 6-0, 6-0 win in No.5.
Maryland senior Jennifer Dent (Countryside) paired with freshman Michal Amir of Israel to collect a win in No.2 doubles against No.4 North Carolina. The No.37 Terps lost 4-3.
Senior Kelly Nelson (Shorecrest) recorded singles and doubles wins for No.2 Notre Dame in its 7-0 victory over Eastern Michigan. The wins were the fifth consecutive for Nelson.
BASEBALL: In the middle game of three with Vanderbilt, third baseman David Cash (Northside Christian/South Carolina/Chipola JC) recorded a hit in Florida's 6-4 win. Junior rightfielder Brian LeClerc (Northside Christian) recorded a two-run home run for the Gators. Left-hander Cameron Betourne (Clearwater) pitched in relief for Vanderbilt in the fifth inning.
Cash is hitting .300 in 50 at-bats and LeClerc leads the Gators in hitting average with .284 in 109 visits to the plate. Betourne has earned a 0.90 ERA in 20 innings of relief for the Commodores.
News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 796-5559; e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.