Preps

Hillsborough: Girls basketball preview

Tracking the talent and key matchups around the districts.

By JOE SMITH
Published November 14, 2007

Top five players to watch

Shawnta Snakovsky, Sickles, Sr., G

Probably the county's purest shooter. The 5-foot-7 guard put up 40 points last week against Jefferson.

Paris Moore, Bloomingdale, Sr., G

Hard to find a more exciting - or versatile - player than Moore, who averaged 17 points, six rebounds and five steals last year.

Shalisia Hall, Hillsborough, Jr., G

The 5-5 sharpshooter has a motor that never stops, combining with sophomore Khai Grubbs for one of the county's best backcourts.

Chanele Patton, Blake, Sr., F

The 5-9 forward, a double-double factor every night, will have to carry the Yellow Jackets, depleted by graduation and transfers.

Michelle Taylor, Plant, So., G

One of the most talented underclassmen, the 5-8 playmaker helps makes Plant a top team.

Biggest impact transfer

Jade Givens, Jefferson - The Blake transfer can play both guard spots, giving the Dragons a much-needed spark.

Surprise team

Tampa Bay Tech - The Titans are much improved, partly due to a couple transfers (Blake's DeAndra Davis included).

Super Seven

1. Sickles; 2. Freedom; 3. Plant; 4. King; 5. Tampa Catholic; 6. Bloomingdale; 7. Hillsborough

Must-see matchups

Tonight - Freedom at Sickles; Nov. 19 - Sickles at Hillsborough; Nov. 27 - Freedom at Bloomingdale; Nov. 28 - Tampa Catholic at Holy Names; Dec. 11 - St. Petersburg Catholic at Tampa Catholic; Dec. 13 - Jefferson at Blake; Bloomingdale at Freedom; Dec. 14 - St. Petersburg at Sickles; Dec. 27-31 - Keeler Tournament at Tampa Catholic, Jan. 10 - Hillsborough at Plant

District breakdown

Class 6A, District 7

Sickles is small but scrappy and has a good shot at getting its first region playoff win. Shawnta Snakovsky may be its top scorer, but Mark Key said Melissa Ramsey is its best athlete and "MVP."

Prediction: Sickles (champion), St. Petersburg (runnerup)

Class 6A, District 8

Sarasota and Sarasota Riverview finished 1-2 last season and likely will again. Riverview lost the bulk of its 17-7 team but East Bay should be much improved, led by top rebounders Shytina Harley and Jakarra Grace.

Prediction: Sarasota (champion), Sarasota Riverview (runnerup)

Class 5A, District 8

Arguably the toughest district in the county, with four of the top-10 teams (Freedom, Bloomingdale, King, Tampa Bay Tech). The Patriots return five starters, including Kelley Maronic, but forward Samara Shepherd makes the Lions a force.

Prediction: Freedom (champion), King (runnerup)

Class 5A, District 10

Another extremely tight district, topped by Plant, Hillsborough and Blake. Terriers coach Chris Brazzle believes this is one of his most talented teams. Chamberlain, returning three starters, will be improved.

Prediction: Plant (champion), Hillsborough (runnerup)

Class 4A, District 9

Spoto will continue its learning curve in just its second year of basketball. Defending champ Haines City should repeat, with Lakeland Kathleen second.

Class 3A, District 11

This one is St. Petersburg Catholic's to lose, thanks to superstar forward Sasha Chaplin (Indiana). With Holy Names losing the Messina sisters to graduation, it's up to Tampa Catholic's duo of Colette Eule and Michelle Gingras to challenge the Barons.

Prediction: SPC (champion), TC (runnerup)

Class 2A, District 9

Tampa Prep, led by junior guard Ayala Wasser (18 ppg last year) will battle district favorite Indian Rocks Christian.

Class 1A, District 10

Cambridge used to own this district. That was until last year, when Seffner Christian asserted itself, and will likely not let go for a while (thanks to four returning starters).

Class 1A, District 11

The only county team is Citrus Park Christian, which will try to upset favorites Lakeside Christian (champ) and Oldsmar Christian (runnerup).

[Last modified November 13, 2007, 23:50:35]