Dixon second in 3-point showdown

They just kept falling from the top of the key, from the wings, from nearly 20 feet away.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published February 24, 2007

LAKELAND - They just kept falling from the top of the key, from the wings, from nearly 20 feet away.

Whatever the circumstance, whatever the clock read, Clearwater's Keona Dixon kept taking her shots, and the ball seemed to drop through the net.

With 45 seconds to shoot three racks of balls, Dixon, a junior, made six, good enough to hold a temporary lead in the Class 5A finals of the Florida High School Athletic Association's inaugural 3-point showdown.

Then she watched as Winter Park Lake Howell's Deanna Walter went to work. Shooting last, Walter had the hot hand, making 12 shots, including her last 10 in a row.

That knocked Dixon from the top spot, and she finished as the runnerup.

"I was nervous when the last girl was up," Dixon said. "Once she hit seven, I knew it was over. But I thought I did well getting this far the first time in this contest."

TEAM PLAYER: Clearwater's Erin McElravy received the State Farm Good Neighbor/Good Spirit award.

McElravy, a junior, was nominated by her teammates. The criteria was to demonstrate leadership, to show team spirit with a positive attitude and to be considerate to teammates and opponents.

"I was glad to see her get that award," Tornadoes coach Tom Shaneyfelt said. "She truly has been a team player all year."

CLASS 5A'S BEST: Clearwater's Brittany Carannante and Dixon were named to the Class 5A all-tournament team. They were joined by Winter Haven's Kiara Francisco, Tiffany Hayes and Amber Smith. Hayes was named the tournament MVP.

[Last modified February 23, 2007, 22:22:24]