Tornadoes remain on top course

Clearwater accomplished two goals with relative ease during the second round of the Keeler Memorial Tournament: staying in the hunt for the tournament championship and remaining unbeaten on the season.

By ROD GIPSON Times Correspondent
Published December 29, 2006

TAMPA - Clearwater accomplished two goals with relative ease during the second round of the Keeler Memorial Tournament: staying in the hunt for the tournament championship and remaining unbeaten on the season.

With a deeper lineup and plenty of offensive chances, the Tornadoes pulled away from Freedom for a 63-28 win. Clearwater (15-0) advances to today's 7:30 p.m. semifinal against host Academy of the Holy Names, a 65-46 winner against Largo. St. Petersburg Catholic faces Blake at 5:30 in the other semifinal.

"We came out and we played hard," Clearwater coach Tom Shaneyfelt said. "We were smart in some stretches but you have to give credit to them (Freedom).

"But after a while I think I depth took over and we were able to pull away."

Abby Alger hit two straight layups to bring Freedom within 20-13, but the Patriots got no closer. The Tornadoes closed the first half with a 15-6 run and things got no better for Freedom in the second half as it was outscored 28-10.

Senior guard Brittany Carannante led Clearwater with 23 points and eight of her teammates also scored. Kelly Maronic's 11 points led Freedom.

In the late game, Academy (15-0) managed an early lead before holding off Largo in a physical contest. The Packers only trailed by six after one quarter but had no answer for the Jaguars' Gianna Messina, whose 32 points led all scorers. Messina scored 20 of the Jaguars' first 30 as Academy built its early lead.

Largo (8-4) had two scorers in double figures but couldn't slow down the up-tempo Jaguars and never got within 15 points in the second half. Courtney Bell led the Packers with 13 points and Uniqueika Walker added 12.

[Last modified December 28, 2006, 23:37:43]