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Keswick Stifles Northside

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By DAWN KLEMISH Tribune correspondent

Published: February 3, 2008

BRADENTON - Keswick Christian had something to prove to the team that handed the Crusaders their last loss - just one of three this season. And the Crusaders did just that, by way of a hard-fought 47-35 win to claim the Class 2A-District 11 girls basketball championship against Northside Christian on Saturday.

The Crusaders (23-3) used a stifling defense during the first half to force nine turnovers, and entered the break with a 30-11 lead.

"Our big goal to start the season was to come out and really play well together, and mesh well," Keswick coach Karrmayne King said. "My four seniors have really stepped up to the challenge."

Seniors Laura Grace Hodupp (14), Haylee Hehl (11), Chelsea Wozniak (8) Kate Carl (4) did just that, combining for 35 of the Crusaders' points and forcing several key turnovers along the way, which allowed Keswick to extend its lead to 21 points late in the fourth quarter.

Free throws came early and often for both teams in a game so physical referees stopped play to gather the teams around and warn them not to let emotion take over.

Guard Courtney Kuntz scored 12 to lead the charge for the Mustangs.

With 6:40 to go in the third quarter, Kuntz scored her 1,000th point on a jumper from the right side. She is the seventh player to do so in school history, and joined teammate Morgan Jackson.

Wozniak followed moments later to become the ninth player in Crusaders history to hit the 1,000-point mark. Wozniak joined teammates Laura Grace Hodupp and Kate Carl.

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