Sharpshooter leads Hudson revival

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 17, 2000

HUDSON -- Like Doreen Grote needed proof.

The Hudson girls basketball coach already considered Nicole Warder the best player in Pasco County even before her 31-point outburst last week. "I've got a whole other level of respect for her after Friday night's game," Grote said.

"I didn't realize it ... during the game that she had 31 points, only that she was just about doing everything that she could to help that team win."

The junior guard's performance in the Class 4A, District 7 championship game was a career high. It wasn't enough, though, to beat Zephyrhills and satisfy her.

"Overall, I really didn't play that well because I know I can do better," said Warder, who made five three-pointers in the 51-49 loss. "I need to play smarter defense."

Warder constantly demands more out of herself, but it has been her willingness to help Hudson get better that defined her season and helped the Cobras to today's Class 4A, Region 2 quarterfinal at Winter Haven.

The smile stretches across Warder's face more often than it did two months ago, when Hudson lost its leading scorer, Melissa Strawser, to a knee injury.

Instead of two double-digit scorers, the Cobras had Warder and several inexperienced players who were not yet comfortable at the varsity level.

The injury preceded six consecutive losses and frustrated Warder.

"She was her own worst enemy, and you just can't play under those circumstances," Grote said. "You're going to get beat up on. They're going to key on you defensively, but why add yourself to the defense? Try and stay positive, understand the team is going to do the best they can to do whatever they can. And you do your job, and hopefully, we'll win at the end."

Once Warder and her teammates realized one player could lead but couldn't do it all, the Cobras began winning again. Hudson won five of six games from Jan. 6-20.

"I used to get frustrated but not so much anymore," said Warder, who began dribbling a basketball when she was 2 years old and now averages 18 points per game. "I guess they've adjusted more to me like with my passing and stuff."

The Cobras are 13-13 after taking second at the Class 4A, District 7 tournament. Hudson beat Tarpon Springs in the semifinals to give Grote her 100th career victory and her first in 11 years of district play. Warder scored 25 points while junior forward Allison Baker added 12 as Hudson qualified for the regional playoffs.

The Cobras play at Winter Haven (25-4) in the Class 4A, Region 2 quarterfinals at 7:30 tonight. The Blue Devils are No. 3 in the latest 4A state poll.

"It's not really a shocker that we've made it this far," Warder said.

"But there's no telling what we can do as a team."

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