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Ridgewood's shooting struggles put pressure on Alayna Sherwood.
By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 17, 2000
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Alayna Sherwood looks forward to her post-game car rides.
After 32 minutes of opponents elbowing, shoving or driving toward her to the basket, the solitude of an empty car is as comforting as it is energizing for Ridgewood's junior center.
"I do a lot of thinking on my way home," Sherwood said. Regarded as one of the county's top players, the 16-year-old averages 14.2 points per game and has helped Ridgewood to the Class 5A, Region 3 quarterfinals despite being the focus of every opposing defense this season.
The Rams (25-5) play host to Plant at 7:30 p.m. today.
"Last year, the word was out that if you stop Sherwood, you stop Ridgewood," Rams coach Gary Zimmerman said. "I think it's somewhat like that at this time now."
Like Saturday against East Lake in the Class 5A, District 10 title game, when the Eagles played a sagging man-to-man defense, holding Sherwood to three points and Ridgewood to 29. "Our perimeter shooting at the beginning of the season was not great. But it was good enough that people had to come out and guard us a little tighter on perimeter and opened up that inside a little more," Zimmerman said.
"Like you saw against East Lake, they weren't afraid of our perimeter shooting, so they packed it down."
When Sherwood does manage to get open, she can be nearly unstoppable.
On Dec. 22-23, she scored 23 and 25 points against Springstead and Hernando, respectively, in the Hernando Tournament and was named the tournament's MVP.
"Her shooting touch is excellent as long as people aren't pushing her and fouling her and that kind of stuff," Zimmerman said. "If she's got a little bit of space, she has a nice, soft touch."
At 6 feet 1, she has a height advantage over most defenders. It runs in the family. Her father, Chuck, played center for the University of South Carolina in the 1970s.
"He has a good shot, and he's taught me how to shoot since I was little," Sherwood said. "He's also taught me about the whole boxing out, rebounding, post moves, how to get position in the post."
Though her scoring average is up from last season, her field goal and free-throw percentages are down. Sherwood has shot 50 percent from the field and 20 percent from the line She believes she's aiming the ball instead of shooting it.
Zimmerman thinks the lower averages are a result of an improved team. The Rams, who lost to Leesburg in the regional quarterfinals last season, are enjoying their best season ever. Their 25 wins are a school record.
"The team has played well. Everybody has stepped up a little bit," he said. "I think some of Alayna's statistics that are down are a result of her teammates playing better, rebounding, steals, playing better defense."
Ridgewood's starting five (Sherwood, Jen Sessa, Bridget and Lizzy Leigh and Megan Keane) has been together since middle school and moved to the varsity during their freshman season.
The group of juniors will make their second consecutive regional quarterfinal appearance tonight against Plant (13-7). The winner plays either Boca Ciega or Southeast on Tuesday. "We all have to play well at this point in time," Zimmerman said. "Our perimeter shooting has to improve, and Alayna has to score in double figures."