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Packers revel in win

By JOHN SCHWARB

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 5, 2000

LARGO -- After an entire career of losing to the crosstown rivals, Dee Feazell had one look at the basket to change history.

There was no way she was going to miss it.

The Largo senior's jumper with three seconds remaining Monday night gave Largo a tremendous early-season district victory, 66-65 over usually-dominant Clearwater. The Packers controlled much of the game, but had to come from behind in the closing seconds to win.

With 23 seconds to go, Dominique Redding hit from close range to give Clearwater a 65-63 lead, its first since early in the first quarter. Feazell then drew a foul and hit the second of two free throws to cut the Tornadoes' lead to one.

Largo's Monica Adams then stole Clearwater's subsequent inbounds pass and fed the ball to Jamie Harper, but her 12-footer missed the mark. The scramble for the rebound pushed the ball out of bounds off Clearwater, however, giving Largo a chance with five seconds.

"It was a play trying to go to the big girl inside," said Feazell of the winning set, drawn up for center Sheena Walton to be the first option. "But they got it to me and were looking for good leadership, whatever, to take the last shot.

"I just let the ball go. I've been shooting all year like that."

After Feazell's basket, Clearwater had one last chance, but Redding missed from just inside half-court. Moments later, Packers fans would swarm that very spot.

"We've been waiting for four years, we finally got one," Feazell said. "It's my last year here, and it's a big win."

Largo (4-1 overall, 1-1 in Class 4A, District 11) executed a solid game plan from the beginning, relegating the Tornadoes' star player to mainly perimeter shots. Redding scored 21 points to lead Clearwater (5-1, 1-1), but could only find her stride at the end of each half.

Largo's Sheena Walton instead controlled the inside, with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

"One thing about Clearwater, if you can take certain people out of the game you have a good chance at winning," Largo coach Leonard Williams said. "Sheena played a good game on Dominique, denying her the ball in the paint."

Feazell scored 18 to lead Largo, and Monique Henson added 10. K.C. Muchler scored 19 and Karley Counts 11 for Clearwater.

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