North powers know value of tough schedule

Same top teams test each other all season with eye on postseason rewards.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 15, 2006

What separates Clearwater, Countryside and East Lake from most of their public school counterparts in the county? District titles and playoff exposure for starters.

In the past six years, the three teams have been to the playoffs a combined 12 times and each has advanced to the state tournament at least once.

Hitched up with an inviting stretch of overmatched opponents, the gap between that trio and the rest has been so yawning that no other team has ever won the Pinellas County Athletic Conference title.

"Year after year, those are the dominating teams," Clearwater coach Tracy Sedeley said.

If there's one thing the Tornadoes, Cougars and Eagles have in common - and what truly sets them apart from just about everyone else in Pinellas - look no further than the north division of the conference.

Their affiliation with the north division yields few easy nights. To represent the division in the PCAC match, a north county team must slog through matches so demanding that even the relative softies can jump up and bite at any time.

"It's a tough division with some of the best teams in the state," East Lake coach Terry Small said.

That statement bears directly on rankings and postseason performance. Because those teams can be sidetracked by any of their division opponents, they can't afford to enter each season with their eyes trained far down the road. They know they must first run the division obstacle course before talking about a No. 1 finish.

Things have gotten even tougher with the emergence of Palm Harbor University. The Hurricanes have scored several upsets in the past and could be on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

"We have some holes to fill, but we feel like we can be in the mix," Palm Harbor coach Tara Burton-Kuk said.

To make it to the conference match and the postseason, the Hurricanes know exactly which teams they have to beat.

Clearwater returns Channing Salava and Kristin Fisher from a team that advanced to the region semifinals last season.

Countryside is counting on outside hitter Madison Truluck, an all-American with her club team.

And East Lake, despite the loss of Lauren Hill, who decided not to play this season, still has Sara Rex and Lindsey Opperman.

"The years change, but it still seems like things remain the same," Cougars coach Kaylyn Bayly said.

Despite the hazards of playing in a rugged division, there are privileges of membership. Playing against so many tough teams night after night helps prepare them for the postseason.

"This year we get to see each team twice during the regular season," Burton-Kuk said.

The north division teams need all the help they can get.

Clearwater, East Lake and Palm Harbor are Class 5A, District 9. Countryside is Class 6A-7.

"It'd be nice to see some other teams at the top," Small said. "Each year, we're battling the same ones and sweating it out to see who makes it to the conference match and the playoffs. But I don't see things changing anytime soon."

[Last modified August 15, 2006, 01:40:19]