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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Smothering Defense Leads To Wiregrass Victory

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By KENNY SANDERS

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 12, 2008

LAND O’ LAKES - Going into Friday night's matchup against the Land O' Lakes Lady Gators, Wiregrass Ranch coach Greg Finkel knew his team would be challenged.

That challenge would come from sophomore shooting guard Meghan Keough, who came in averaging 26 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

"Meghan is a great player. Our focus today is to limit her touches and to always know where she is on the court. If we can do that I like our chances tonight," he said.
Mission accomplished.

The Lady Bulls smothered Keough, holding her to 16 points, and escaped Land O' Lakes with a 45-42 victory. The loss was the third in a row for the Lady Gators.

Wiregrass Ranch started off the game with a 6-0 run and held a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks in large part to the effort by point guard Julie Gould. In the first quarter, Gould scored six points, collected three rebounds, and had a steal and a blocked shot. Gould would finish with six points, six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot.

The Lady Gators responded with runs of 8-2 and 8-0 in the second quarter and took a 23-19 halftime lead.

The third quarter was dominated by Lady Bull Regan Knapik, who had 11 points and 6 rebounds in the quarter, capped by a 3-pointer with one second left. The 3-pointer gave Wiregrass Ranch a 33-31 lead going into the fourth quarter and Knapik finished the game with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and a block.

When asked about Knapik after the game, coach Finkel said: "She was outstanding today. Her play in the third quarter gave us momentum heading into the fourth and she really energized us. She's our catalyst. As she goes, our team goes."

The fourth quarter saw four ties, but Land O' Lakes couldn't retake the lead. They had a chance with 14 seconds left, after Gould was fouled and missed the front end of a one and one. With seven seconds left and the Lady Gators trailing 43-42, Keough got free for a 12 footer from the left baseline but couldn't hit the shot. Kelly McCaffrey got the rebound for Wiregrass Ranch, was fouled with two seconds left, and hit both free throws to give the Lady Bulls a 45-42 lead. A desperation heave by Melissa Sanchez from behind half court fell short, giving Wiregrass Ranch the victory.

The Lady Bulls have now won eight games in a row, and at 9-1, lead district 4A-8. During the win streak they have beaten second place Gulf and third place Nature Coast, so their early season success impresses Finkel.

"We've started the season strong, but the biggest challenge for us right now is to keep our focus. It's a long season and our success will only continue if we stay focused. We've had some close games so far, so hopefully that has made our players mentally tough. We'll need that toughness throughout the rest of the season."

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