Sports

Preps

North Suncoast: Expect a more even field in girls hoops

By IZZY GOULD, Times Staff Writer
Published November 12, 2007

---

ADVERTISEMENT

Expect a power shift atop the North Suncoast with teams such as Mitchell and Wesley Chapel losing some of the area's top talent. Oh, those teams will still be strong, but powers such as Nature Coast, Land O'Lakes, Pasco and Ridgewood are bound to tussle for the limelight. And get used to hearing about players such as Gators senior Kayli Keough and Sharks sophomore Shareka Maner. They should head a solid crop of players ready to battle for the title of North Suncoast player of the year. Lace your high-tops, it's basketball season.

1. Land O'Lakes

The Gators (13-12 last season) have all the promise in the world this season blessed with a pair of the area's top players including a healthy Kayli Keough back from an illness that sidelined her toward the end of the year ending their postseason hopes.

2. Nature Coast

The Sharks have posted back-to-back 20-win seasons (23-6 in 2006-07) and are coming off their first district title. Oh, and almost everyone is back.

3. Wesley Chapel

This is life following the departure of Wesley Chapel's only 1,000-point scorer in Sthefany Thomas. Can the Wildcats (24-5) thrive without her?

4. Pasco

Pirates coach John Edwards' return was successful, leading Pasco to a solid 18-8 showing last year. What does he have for an encore?

5. Ridgewood

The Rams (16-10) are counting on a number of underclassmen to step up, but Daun's presence in the middle is the key.

6. Mitchell

The Mustangs lost three of their top players on a 25-3 team, but they should once again contend for the SAC crown.

7. Gulf

Underclassmen Nicole Adams and Sami Seybold should complement guard Jordan Schulman nicely. The Bucs were 17-9.

Nov. 14 Land O'Lakes at Pasco, 7:30 Nov. 20 Hernando at Hudson, 6

Ridgewood at Mitchell, 6

Pasco at Springstead, 7:30

Nov. 23-24 Wesley Chapel Shootout, 6 Nov. 30 River Ridge at Ridgewood, 7:30

Hernando at Springstead, 7:30

Dec. 4 Land O'Lakes at Wesley Chapel, 7:30

Nature Coast at Springstead, 7:30

Dec. 7 Wesley Chapel at Ridgewood, 6 Dec. 11 Ridgewood at Land O'Lakes, 7:30 Dec. 13 Central at Springstead, 7:30 Dec. 19 Gulf at Springstead, 7:30 Dec. 20 Springstead at Pasco, 7:30 Dec. 21 Wesley Chapel at Mitchell, 6

Land O'Lakes at Zephyrhills, 7:30

Dec. 27-28 Christmas Chaos at Springstead Dec. 27-29 Land O'Lakes at Florida Prospects Invitational (Gainesville), TBA Jan. 3 Wesley Chapel at Pasco, 6 Jan. 8 Land O'Lakes at Central, 7:30 Jan. 10 Wesley Chapel at Land O'Lakes, 6

Springstead at Hernando, 7:30

Jan. 11 Springstead at Nature Coast, 7:30

Gulf at Land O'Lakes, 7:30

Jan. 15 Ridgewood at Wesley Chapel, 6

Mitchell at Land O'Lakes, 7:30

Jan. 18 Land O'Lakes at Ridgewood, 7:30 Jan. 22 Hernando at Land O'Lakes, 7:30 Jan. 23 Gulf at Wesley Chapel, 6

Mitchell at Pasco, 7:30

Jan. 24 Springstead at Central, 7:30 Jan. 25 Pasco at Land O'Lakes, 7 Jan. 30-Feb. 2 District tournaments

Key dates

Class 6A, District 7

Teams: Mitchell, Alonso, Countryside, Gaither, St. Petersburg, Sickles

Defending champ: Mitchell

Runnerup: Sickles

Outlook: Despite losing their top two scorers, Mitchell should again contend for the district title. Head coach Stephanie Koslin, who needs just 10 wins to reach 100, has a number of newcomers that could contribute, as well as physical forward Latoya Hillmon (9.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game).

Class 5A, District 7

Teams: Central, Land O'Lakes, Ridgewood, River Ridge, Wesley Chapel

Defending champ: Wesley Chapel

Runnerup: Ridgewood

Outlook: Perhaps the most competitive district in the area, top to bottom. Land O'Lakes was lost last year as forward Kayli Keough battled mono, but the Florida State signee is back, and the Gators have improved around her. Freshman point guard Kaitlynn Pacholke, coach Laurie Pacholke's daughter, brings some much-needed ball-handling to the back court, as well as a nice little jump shot. Keough, meanwhile, is the top returning player in the area. But Wesley Chapel will push the Gators, and Central and Ridgewood could make things interesting.

Class 4A, District 8

Teams: Gulf, Hernando, Hudson, Nature Coast, Pasco, Springstead, Sunlake, Wiregrass Ranch, Zephyrhills

Defending champ: Nature Coast

Runnerup: Pasco

Outlook: Nature Coast and Pasco enter as the favorites, but Gulf should also contend. Nature Coast senior guard Cherikhan Waddy and junior forward Shareka Maner have the potential to be one of the top 1-2 punches in the area. Gulf lost four of its five starters from last year's team, but the Bucs return one of the area's top 3-point shooters in Jordan Schulman (14.7 ppg last season) and have added freshman point guard Nicole Adams, who has drawn raves from coach Mike Quarto. Also, the Bucs have added Lindsey Brooks, a transfer from North Carolina who played at Ridgewood as a sophomore.

Class 2A, District 9

Teams: Bishop McLaughlin, Calvary Christian, Indian Rocks Christian, Tampa Prep

Last year's champ: First Academy

Last year's runnerup: Father Lopez

Outlook: IRC, which went 17-11 and was runnerup in 2A-11, should contend for the district title this time.

Class A, District 6

Teams: Hernando Christian, Cedar Key, First Academy, Meadowbrook, St. John Lutheran, Seven River Christian

Defending champ: St. John Lutheran

Runnerup: Meadowbrook

Outlook: St. John Lutheran is the traditional powerhouse, having won three straight district titles. Hernando Christian had a solid season a year ago, finishing 14-5, but fell to SJL in the district tournament.

District breakdown

North Suncoast player of the year watch list

Player School Pos. Yr. Notes 1 Kayli Keough Land O'Lakes F Sr. The Florida State commitment averaged 22 points before being sidelined with an injury. She's much better now, and healed as well. 2 Shareka Maner Nature Coast F So. Maner established herself as an inside force last season, averaging 10.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg and two blocks. 3 Ashley Carry Wesley Chapel F Sr. Two years removed from Freedom, Carry has established herself to be among the North Suncoast's top floor generals. 4 Cherikhan Waddy Nature Coast G Sr. The Sharks' go-to player averaged 10.5 points and four rebounds in leading Nature Coast to consecutive 20-win seasons. 5 Ronisha Browdy Central G Sr. The 3-point specialist averaged 18 ppg guiding the Bears through the North Suncoast and nailed a team-high 54 3-pointers. 6 Jordan Schulman Gulf G Sr. The sweet-shooting guard (14.7 ppg, 69 3-pointers) will have to take her game to an even higher level to help offset the loss of four starters. 7 Latoya Hillmon Mitchell F Sr. Fiery and explosive, the Mustangs' defensive specialist can control the pace if her supporting cast is involved. 8 Brittany Knipp Land O'Lakes G Sr. One of the county's top guards who is key to guiding the Gators offense. 9 Jen Daun Ridgewood C Sr. A big presence in the middle, Daun averaged 9.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg last season. 10 Desiree Vizcaino Wesley Chapel G Sr. Talented point guard expected to help with the transition from the Sthefany Thomas era. 11 Nicole Adams Gulf PG Fr. Keep an eye on the Bucs' young point guard, who will step into a starting role as a freshman.

 

 

[Last modified November 12, 2007, 00:10:17]