Pinellas: Girls basketball preview
Looking at the talent and the tough matchups around districts this season.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published November 14, 2007
Players to watch
Kate Carl, Keswick Christian
The senior guard, who transferred from St. Petersburg Catholic, is a nice addition for the Crusaders.
Sasha Chaplin, St. Petersburg Catholic
The 6-foot-3 senior towers over her competition. She was among the county leaders in scoring and rebounding. The Indiana recruit also grabbed a school-record 31 rebounds in the district final against Academy of the Holy Names.
J'Beria Davis, Clearwater
The junior made a name for herself in the state semifinals, grabbing 16 rebounds and scoring 15 to help the Tornadoes beat Leesburg.
Keona Dixon, Clearwater
A long-range specialist, Dixon hit a 70-foot, buzzer-beater to knock off Boca Ciega in last season's region semifinal.
Latavia Dempsey, Boca Ciega
One of the top young stars in the county, Dempsey came up big in some clutch games, including last year's region semifinal against Clearwater.
Jazmyne Green, St. Petersburg
One of the leaders of a veteran Green Devils squad, Green was a second-team, all-county selection last year.
Morgan Jackson Northside Christian
A starter since the eighth grade, Jackson has already scored more than 1,000 points in her career.
Sameerah Jones, Palm Harbor University
Jones, the daughter of former Clearwater and NFL player Hassan Jones, gives the Hurricanes the inside presence needed in a tough district.
Kerah Nelson, Lakewood
She becomes the Spartans' go-to girl with the graduation of several starters.
Egypt Thomas, Largo
The Seminole transfer gives the Packers the playmaker they needed with the loss of Ebony Walker.
Victoria Ryan, Clearwater
She takes over as the floor leader with the loss of Brittany Carannante.
Tory Stephens, Boca Ciega
A first-team, all-county selection, Stephens averaged more than 20 points per game last season.
District breakdown
Class 6A, District 7
Teams: Alonso, Countryside, Gaither, Mitchell, St. Petersburg, Sickles
Outlook: The Green Devils have one of the deepest teams in the county with several returning starters. That should make them a slight favorite over Mitchell.
Class 5A, District 9
Teams: Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Largo, Palm Harbor University, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs
Outlook: Last season, the Tornadoes made the final four for the eighth time in the past 11 seasons, the most appearances of any team during that span. To do it again, Clearwater will have to replace some key starters, including Brittany Carannante and Laura Lee. But the Tornadoes still have talent with the return of Veronica Ryan, J'Beria Davis and Keona Dixon. The biggest challenges will come from Dunedin, Largo, Palm Harbor University.
Class 5A, District 11
Teams: Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins, Gibbs, Lakewood, Northeast, Osceola, Seminole
Outlook: In this district it's the Pirates, the Spartans and everyone else. Boca Ciega has all the pieces in place for a state title run with the return of Tory Stephens, Latavia Dempsey, Missy Schmidt and Hannah Stenfors. Lakewood lost most of its playmakers, including Kquanise Byrd, the Times all-county player of the year last season. But the Spartans have some underclassmen who can fill the void.
Class 3A, District 11
Teams: Academy of the Holy Names, Berkeley Prep, Clearwater Central Cath., Lennard, St. Petersburg Cath., Tampa Catholic
Outlook: The Barons have the best player in the district, Sasha Chaplin, who is signing with Indiana on Thursday. That will help SPC stay ahead of Academy of the Holy Names, which lost the Messina twins to graduation.
Class 2A, District 9
Teams: Bishop McLaughlin, Calvary Christian, Indian Rocks Christian, Tampa Prep
Outlook: The Golden Eagles benefitted the most from switching districts and will be the overwhelming favorite.
Class 2A, District 11
Teams: Admiral Farragut, Bradenton St. Stephen's, Keswick Christian, Northside Christian, Shorecrest
Outlook: This is a battle between the Crusaders and the Mustangs for the top spot in the district. Keswick has Laura Grace Hodupp to team with Kate Carl, a transfer from Keswick. Northside's top players are Kayla Walton and Morgan Jackson.
District A, District 11
Teams: Academy at the Lakes, Canterbury, Citrus Park Christian, Lakeside Christian, Oldsmar Christian
Outlook: Lakeside Christian has rolled through this district and should do so again.
Super seven
1. Boca Ciega: The return of Tory Stephens, who quit the team early on before coming back, gives the Pirates plenty of playmakers.
2. Clearwater: The Tornadoes still are a work in progress, but coach Tom Shaneyfelt always has them ready for a playoff run.
3. St. Petersburg: The Green Devils return everyone and are poised to make the postseason after coming up short last year.
4. Lakewood: The Spartans lost four starters from last year's region finalist team and will have to rely on a lot of newcomers.
5. St. Petersburg Catholic: Sasha Chaplin will have to come up big if the Barons are going to make the region finals three straight seasons.
6. Palm Harbor University: The Hurricanes have the firepower to challenge Clearwater for supremacy in the north part of the county.
7. Dunedin: New coach Dustin Bengston inherits a roster loaded with seniors, which will help the Falcons stay among the elite.
Games to watch
Friday, Clearwater at Boca Ciega: A rematch of last season's region semifinal.
Nov. 23, St. Petersburg at SP Catholic: A good public-private battle between city schools.
Nov. 27, Lakewood at Boca Ciega: A game that establishes pecking order in the district.
Dec. 3, Dunedin at PHU: A rematch of last season's district semifinal.
Dec. 6, Lakewood at Clearwater: A rematch of last year's PCAC game and region final.
Dec. 8, Northside at Keswick: First game in season series between district's top teams.
Dec. 20, Lakewood at St. Petersburg: A game for bragging rights in neighborhood rivalry.
Jan. 15, SP Catholic at Academy of the Holy Names: Teams have met in region final the past two seasons.
Jan. 22, Boca Ciega at St. Petersburg: This one could decide who represents south in PCAC game.