Sharks can't stop Sailors' Walding

Despite pleas from its coach, Riverview allows 35 points to Kristen Walding in a 68-56 loss to Sarasota.

By Steve Lee
Published February 2, 2007

GIBSONTON - Sarasota's Kristen Walding had 16 of her team's 18 points in the first quarter, and Riverview coach Lelani Gordon challenged her team to put a stop to the one-girl show.

By halftime, Gordon pleaded with her players to somehow slow the senior forward, whose total had increased to 23 as the Sailors built a 36-22 lead.

The district rivals, who split two regular-season games with both winning at home, played evenly the rest of the way.

Still, no one could stop Walding, who finished with a career-high 35 points in Sarasota's 68-56 win.

"It did seem to be (Walding's) night tonight, no question about it," Gordon said. "We tried everything we knew, but we couldn't get it done."

Sarasota (22-5) advances to Saturday's final against Sarasota Riverview, a 68-46 winner over Lakeland.

Riverview (17-7) was led by senior Ashley Milian, who scored 24 and matched Walding with each scoring their team's first six points to start the game.

The Sharks had the only other players in double figures with Michelle Trugillo scoring 16 and Belle Benitez 11.

[Last modified February 1, 2007, 23:38:30]