Jaguars just hang on

Katie Davis hits two free throws late for Academy of the Holy Names.

By BRYAN BURNS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

TAMPA - Academy of the Holy Names' Katie Davis scored a game-high 26 in a 52-50 win over Plant in its first round matchup at the Jaguar Holiday Tournament, but no points were as important as her final two.

With the clock winding down and the score tied at 50, Davis pulled up after starting to drive to the basket and was fouled while shooting with 0.3 seconds left. Davis calmly stepped to the line and sank both free throws, giving the Jaguars the victory.

"I was just trying to get a good look, but (Plant) was packed in defensively," Davis said. "So, I tried to make her foul me, and she did, luckily.

"I didn't think I was going to get the call, but I'm happy I did."

Davis said she was bumped in the side on the attempt, but the Plant bench, which erupted after the whistle blew, clearly thought a foul was not committed.

"I like the idea of letting the players decide the outcome of the game," Plant coach Carrie Mahon said. "I think that's most appropriate after playing 31 minutes and 59 seconds, but that didn't happen. ... It's really heartbreaking."

After trailing the entire fourth quarter, Plant tied the score at 50 when Michelle Taylor made two free throws with 15 seconds left. That's when Davis responded.

"When the game is on the line, we want the ball in Katie's hands," Academy coach Casey Higgins said.

Academy opened up a 12-4 lead to start the game, but Plant went on a 20-0 run to go up by 12 midway through the second quarter. Plant led 26-20 at halftime, but Academy scored the first six points of the third quarter to tie the score. From that point, neither team led by more than five.

"We showed a lot of heart, effort and maturity," Higgins said. "There are not a lot of teams that can survive a 20-0 run and win. We were happy to be down six at the half."

Clearwater 62, Wharton 1:The Tornadoes advanced to the semifinals to play the Jaguars at 7 tonight after their victory over the Wildcats (1-12).

The Tornadoes didn't allow a point until 4:26 remained in the fourth quarter, and the entire second half was played with a running clock. Keona Dixon had 14 points to lead the Tornadoes (14-2).

St. Petersburg Catholic 56,Freedom 34: Sasha Chaplin had a game-high 22 points, and Holly Janicki added 16 points after going 5-of-5 from the field in the first half, including two from 3-point range, to lead the Barons over the Patriots.

Freedom (10-6) turned the ball over 42 times in the face of SPC's full-court pressure.

The Barons (13-0), who led 33-20 at halftime, took control of the game with a 15-4 scoring run after halftime.

St. Petersburg 46, Northside Christian 29: The Green Devils (12-3) face the Barons in the first semifinal of the tournament at 5:30 today after knocking off the Mustangs (11-2).

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 00:39:06]