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Eule, Tampa Catholic Capture Keeler

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By GREGG BECNEL

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 24, 2008

TAMPA - After watching an 18-point second-half lead disappear, Tampa Catholic junior Colette Eule took it upon herself to lift the Crusaders to a 53-49 win against Plant in the championship of the Craig Keeler Memorial Christmas Tournament on Tuesday.

TC (14-1) looked like it would easily defend its Keeler title when it led 43-25 late in the third quarter. But the Panthers (10-2) never gave up, scoring 14 consecutive points to go ahead 49-48 with 43 seconds remaining.

That's when Eule, the tournament MVP, took over.

She hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to put TC back ahead 50-49 with 31 seconds remaining. Eule then rebounded a Plant miss, was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to push the lead to 52-49. She then blocked a shot on the defensive end, was fouled again and made one of two free throws to ice the game with nine seconds remaining.

"I don't know what happened." said Eule, who scored a game-high 24 points. "We had such a big lead in the second half and then it was gone."

The victory extended the Crusaders' winning streak to 10, while the loss snapped the Panthers' streak at seven.

"In the fourth quarter we went on a dry spell, turned the ball over too much and got out of sync," TC coach Nancy Kroll said. "But this was a good win for us and it will build our confidence heading into the second half of the season."

Ganice Macho led Plant with 17 points, while Michelle Taylor chipped in 10. Sarah Brennan scored 14 for TC.

"I couldn't be more proud of that comeback," said Panthers coach Carrie Mahon, who was celebrating her 13th wedding anniversary Tuesday. "TC just made the plays at the end."

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