CCC on path to regaining stature

Clearwater Central Catholic beats Lennard 54-20

By CHRIS GIRANDOLA Times Correspondent
Published January 11, 2007

CLEARWATER - Clearwater Central Catholic coach Celia Slater is used to winning.

But this year, Slater, who helped lead the Marauders to three straight championship appearances as a player from 1978-80, has had to practice patience in her first year as coach at her alma mater.

After beginning the year 2-8, the Marauders have won four consecutive games, including Wednesday's 54-20 romp over first-year school Lennard.

The Marauders were led by junior guard MJ Jachens (11 points) and senior point guard Annie Rodriguez (10).

"Having games like these are an obvious confidence-builder," said Slater, who played two years at Clemson and two at Florida State.

"One of our goals is to instill that sense of pride in the program again. It seems like the girls are beginning to come together and realize what it takes to succeed on a consistent basis."

Slater rotated several freshmen in the game to get them used to varsity play.

Four of them, Shannon Kelly, Abby Whitaker, Stacy Fisher and Kristin Shriver, combined to score 23 points.

Lennard (0-8), which traveled from Ruskin with only five players, struggled to match the Marauders and was outscored in the first quarter 13-0, not registering a point until midway through the second.

At the half, the Longhorns trailed 29-4, with Lennard's points coming from Jennifer Walker.

Walker and Cassandra Khan combined to score all of Lennard's points in the third as the Longhorns outscored the Marauders 10-7.

"It's been a learning experience but I love playing basketball and we're going to keep learning and getting better," Khan said. "They (CCC) were the most respectful and nicest team we've played all season so that was refreshing as well."

[Last modified January 11, 2007, 00:42:59]