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Lucky Shot Seals Comeback

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By GREGG BECNEL Tribune correspondent

Published: February 1, 2008

TAMPA - Academy at the Lakes freshman Amber Hay scooped up a loose ball near the sideline in front of her bench and drained a 3-pointer in the final seconds to lift the third-seeded Wildcats to an improbable 44-43 win against No. 2 Citrus Park Christian in a Class 1A-District 11 semifinal on Thursday.

"When I got the ball I knew I better shoot it or my coach would kill me," said Hay, whose only points came on the winning shot. "When I let it go I thought it might go in."

Hay's basket capped Academy's rally from a 17-point third-quarter deficit. The Wildcats (9-8) got within 35-25 early in the fourth, but Citrus Park Christian retook control and seemingly had the game in hand, leading 40-27 with 4:34 remaining.

"We hustled our way back into it and started making some shots. Of course, it doesn't hurt to be lucky," Wildcats coach Gary Tait said. "I'm so proud of the girls. This is the first district tournament win in school history."

Academy scored 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Wildcats senior Ashley Sookal finished with a game-high 14 points, while freshman Ashley Fryar added 13.

Citrus Park Christian (9-11) had three players in double figures - Madyson Kaplan and Bailey Hooker scored 12 points apiece and Amanda Boyette had 10.

In the other semifinal, No. 1 Lakeside Christian easily defeated No. 4 Oldsmar Christian 59-24.

Freshman Hannah Ray paced the Lions (13-7) with a game-high 18 points, including three 3-pointers. Senior Lauren Dugan chipped in 13.

Freshman Shelley Bubar, who made four of Oldsmar Christian's seven field goals, led the Eagles with nine points.

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