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Mitchell not ready to mar perfection

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published January 3, 2007

Winning breeds confidence, respect and an air of invincibility. Oh, and this time of year, it also tends to breed New Year's resolutions.

Like, no losing.

Now that Mitchell has reached 2007 with a 15-0 record, you can add another goal to the Mustangs' list that already includes conference, district, region and state titles.

An undefeated season.

"Yeah, it's a goal," said senior guard Kristi Hopper, the team's leading scorer. "Now that we've come this far without losing, everybody just wants it to stay that way."

The Mustangs will tip off 2007 this week against River Ridge and face few threats to their newfound goal as the regular season winds down. Everyone remaining on their schedule the Mustangs have beaten by at least nine points, though Sickles forced overtime.

"I think everyone's confidence right now is excellent," coach Stephanie Koslin said. "But we have a ways to go yet."

Few tests, however, remain. Mitchell's performance last weekend at a holiday tournament in Bradenton, where the Mustangs posted three wins to capture the tournament title, was their stiffest test of the season and one they passed easily after a tough opener. Included in that run was a victory over Class 5A power Boca Ciega.

Mitchell won its closest game of the season 52-51 as Hopper put in a shot with two seconds remaining. Trailing 51-50 with 12 seconds left, Koslin practically drew up a play in the sand hoping to get Hopper free.

"We ran some weird play we haven't ever seen before," Hopper said with a chuckle. "She just made a play up on the spot. It was supposed to be a screen for me, but it became just the first person to get open was going to get the ball."

That person was Hopper, who missed a 3-point try. She said she thinks Taylor Lunin knocked the rebound off a Bogie player to give it back to Mitchell. Again, Hopper got open.

This time, she missed from the top of the circle, but as far as errant shots go, it was perfect, bouncing back to Hopper who fired it back up at the free-throw line to win the game.

Mitchell went on to beat Manatee 44-35 and in the title game toppled Class 6A foe and potential region playoff opponent Sarasota 48-38.

As for the pressure of being undefeated, Hopper said it's there but only emboldens the team. "We don't want to lose," she said.

Koslin says she just plans on enjoying it.

"I never count my chickens," she said. "But we knew if we made it this far past the Christmas tournament, we'd be in pretty good shape."

Frightening Four

Here are four teams that could knock off Mitchell before districts, ranked in order of possibility. But keep in mind every game is on the Mustangs' home court.

1. St. Petersburg (Jan. 16)

The Green Devils lost 42-33 the first time around, but they are fast and athletic and the second-best team in the district, having crushed Sickles 56-48 (after leading by 25 entering the fourth).

2. Sickles (Jan. 12)

The Gryphons took Mitchell to overtime in their first meeting before Mitchell woke up to win 61-52.

3. Land O'Lakes (Jan. 25)

The Gators lost 51-32 to Mitchell in their initial meeting, but Kayli Keough (20.6) needs help if Land O'Lakes is to pull off the upset.

4. Ridgewood (Jan. 18)

The Rams' 64-43 loss to the Mustangs hardly suggests upset possibilities in the rematch, but they have beaten Land O'Lakes and Nature Coast.

[Last modified January 2, 2007, 20:59:04]