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Hurricanes standout torn between two strengths

By BRETT KELMAN
Published January 30, 2007

What Citrus really needs is two Rachel Fults.

Fults, a senior who leads the 'Canes with 12.4 points per game and 8.0 rebounds, has a problem. Without a clone, she is torn between the two stats.

"Some games I feel like (Fults) could be scoring 30 points and she barely shoots at all. Sometimes she shoots all the time," coach Eli Jackson said.

"She's the best shooter on our team and we want her taking the most shots. She needs to play more selfish. I've never seen Rachel take a bad 3."

This season, Fults has tallied 287 points, hit a Citrus record-tying six 3-pointers against North Marion and scored a season-high 25 points against rival Lecanto.

Still, Fults is on the fence.

"I feel like a ball hog because when I miss a long shot I throw the ball away," she said. "Sometimes I think we'd be stronger if I was rebounding and let others shoot more."

After all, a 3-point attempt from Fults is a shot without the 'Canes' star rebounder under the basket.

One thing Fults and Jackson agree on is where her rebounding talent came from - volleyball. As the middle hitter for Citrus, Fults' jumping and timing skills get twice the practice each year

"Rachel can play everywhere. Volleyball has trained her innate ability to see the ball on rebounds and blocks. And then sometimes she plays her best defense on the perimeter," Jackson said.

Fults is tied with scrappy point guard Ashley Duval for most steals this season, averaging 3.1 per game.

Jackson said one reason he wants Fults to shoot more is because of her ever-increasing range.

"Rachel may be our best inside player, but she has mostly scored from the outside this year," Jackson said.

Fults said she owes her improved shot to the torn ACL she suffered last season. With a busted knee, shooting was all she could practice. After six months of physical therapy and jump shots, Fults came back stronger and more accurate than ever.

"Rachel will be the deciding factor in our postseason offense, but after an injury like her's, I'm just proud that she has been able to finish out strong and have the season she did," Jackson said.

The 'Canes play North Marion tonight at Westport High in the first round of the district tournament. The winner faces Westport, which Jackson called the "dominant" team in the area.

[Last modified January 29, 2007, 20:15:47]