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5 Things to watch

By John C. Cotey
Published November 14, 2006

5 Things to watch

1. State championship?

Wesley Chapel coach Warren Jones is trying to keep his cool, but it ain't easy now that Sthefany Thomas has a supporting cast and her college scholarship tucked away in her gym bag.

He won't say it, but we're pretty sure he's thinking it - the Wildcats could be a state title contender.

It has been a long time since a Pasco team has played for a state title, 20 years to be exact when Ernie Pittman's Zephyrhills team took the county's lone shot at it in a 51-37 loss to Gibbs.

2. Size does matter

Six, as in feet tall, is the magic number in girls basketball. Coaches love to tout their 6-footers, and there are quite a few talented ones in the county. Land O'Lakes' Kayli Keough 6-1 1/2 might be the best of the crop, and she's not even the tallest player on her team. That honor goes to 6-3 Katrina Morris. Wesley Chapel will be hugely impacted by 6-footers Jeani Ducos and Janelle Mills, whom star Sthefany Thomas calls the twin towers. Pasco coach John Edwards has four sophomores who are 6-0 or better, Ridgewood boasts 6-0 center Jen Daun and Mitchell starts 6-0 Hanna Bernard in the post.

3. Reunited and it feels so good

Edwards and former star player Jackie Pugh worked magic together at Pasco in the late 1990s, taking the Pirates within a point of the state semifinals. So when Edwards (we'll call him Peaches) and Pugh (Herb) get back together again this year - Pugh will be his assistant - we'll see what they can cook up.

4. Earth to Gulf, come in Gulf

Mike Quarto isn't just rebuilding at Gulf, he's starting over. All five starters from last year's team are gone, and the remnants of a 71-12 run the past three seasons are scattered. So learn these names: Samantha Ovind, Jordan Schulman, Ashley Fischer, Lauren Bullock and Kayla Kral. They will be the ones in the green uniforms and really, really big shoes.

5. Land O'Winning Record?

The Gators have made the region playoffs as a district runnerup the past two seasons, which is a good thing. But their record the past two years?

Try 9-14 each season.

Regardless, the Gators have moved on and should be playoff-bound again this year. Central may not make things easy, but 6-1 guard Kayli Keough is poised for a breakout season, point guard Brittany Knipp is improved, and Emily Seda is a defensive stopper. The Gators may not finish ahead of Wesley Chapel, but they should be right behind the Wildcats.

John C. Cotey can be reached at 727-869-6261 or cotey@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 14, 2006, 07:35:53]