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By GREG AUMAN
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 30, 2000
Two things we know about the Springstead girls basketball team after Tuesday's victory against Lake Weir: the Eagles are deep, and they don't mind the occasional foul.
Springstead had little trouble with their district opener, winning 82-50, but the Eagles might have been a bit too physical to open the game.
"They were actually in a two-shot foul situation three minutes into the game," Springstead coach Whit Campbell said Wednesday.
"We had 10 fouls in three minutes. We're very physical, unbelievably aggressive, but we've got to keep it under control," he said. "It wasn't the officials, it was us out there, for sure."
The Eagles went to the line a fair share themselves, but hit just 12 of 35 shots.
Springstead was led in both games by junior forward Roe Finlayson, who scored 19 points against Lake Weir after a team-high 21 in a 68-56 loss to Hudson a week earlier.
More impressive has been the Eagles' depth. Nine players scored in the opener, and 12 had points against Lake Weir, with the starting five outscoring the bench only 42-40. Jackie Ulasewich and Vicki Albert each had 10 points off the bench.
"I know coaches say this stuff like this, but honestly, after Roe, there's no difference in the ability down to the 12th player," Campbell said. "The important thing is finding the right grouping."
ON THE ROAD: Central closes a season-opening three-game road trip Friday at North Marion after splitting two games at Crystal River and Leesburg.
The Bears led Leesburg at halftime, but an 18-6 third quarter put Central no closer than seven points in the final period.
The Bears got a team-high 18 points from sophomore forward Stacey Waters, who had a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in the opener. Senior center Kerry Donegan, who had 10 points and 9 rebounds against Lake Weir, scored 13 against Leesburg.
"Stacey and Kerry have done really well so far, and I expect those three (with guard Tracie Ploskonka) will be there for us all season," said coach Lori Lessley.
Ploskonka hit 4 of 18 shots in the opener, but had five of Central's 15 steals. Lessley said she expects the seniorto find her shot in no time.
"She's a shooter, and she'll shoot her way out of it," Lessley said. "They just haven't been falling for her."
Guard Jennifer Waddy, who sat out the first game with shin splints and an ankle injury, played sparingly against Leesburg and should see more action Friday night.
After playing three games on the road, the Bears are home for three next week. FIRST LOOK: With the new district alignment, coaches may have to go into early-season games with little to no scouting reports on district opponents.
Hernando coach Rodney Byrd said he was hoping to drive to Leesburg to get a closer look before the Leopards play host to the Yellow Jackets on Friday night.
"It's hard when you've never seen a team, so I'm hoping I can get a look at them before we're lining up against them," said Byrd, whose squad is off to a 3-1 start after a 56-38 victory at Citrus on Tuesday.
Junior forward Bernice Mosby watched the first quarter from the bench before leading the Leopards with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Senior forward Carmen Byrd and sophomore guard Kristi Langworthy each chipped in 11 points.
Sophomore Christina Benoay, the team's reserve point guard, has yet to suit up because of illness and a family vacation.