Clash of the likely titans comes early

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published November 14, 2006

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WESLEY CHAPEL - In the perfect sports world, the two best teams always meet to determine No. 1.

Sometimes, you don't even have to wait a whole season. Take tonight, for example.

At 7:30 at Mitchell, the host Mustangs, who may just be the best team in Pasco County, take on Wesley Chapel, which may just be the best team in Pasco County.

No build up. No hype. No collision course. No time for that.

"Well, this is the big game," said Mitchell coach Stephanie Coslin, whose team was second in the conference last season to Gulf and again will contend for the title.

The Mustangs return Kristi Hopper 16 points per game and Joanna Bussa, who make up one of the county's top backcourts. Of last year's six-man Mitchell rotation, all are back.

"We should be pretty good," Coslin said.

While coaches generally prefer to get a few games in before such a momentus showdown, Coslin says her girls are ready.

"Why not just get it done now?" Coslin said. "We'll see how good we are."

Wesley Chapel coach Warren Jones feels the same. His Wildcats were unanimously selected by coaches as the county's best team, due in large part to the return of Sthefany Thomas for her senior year. Thomas, a Clemson signee, is joined in the starting lineup by three key transfers and other returning starters.

"When we play it, it really doesn't matter to me," Jones said. "I kind of like playing it right away. This way, we can see what we really need to work on. I know we're ready."

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