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Wesley Chapel Captures District Title

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Wesley Chapel won its third consecutive district title Saturday night, beating host Land O' Lakes 47-39, but both teams had smiles on their faces afterward.
Wesley Chapel (22-4) could not have been happier about winning the Class 5A-District 7 title after already locking up the Sunshine Athletic Conference title during the regular season.

The Wildcats proved they could be successful without former standout Sthefany Thomas and once again that they could scrap and fight their way through a tough game and come out on top with strong efforts from six players.

The win was also an emotional one for the team and Coach Warren Jones. Jones' father passed away five years ago Saturday of a heart attack.

"The girls know this is always one of the hardest days of the year for me and they fought hard and won and what more could I ask for?" Jones said. "Those are my girls."
Wesley Chapel had one field goal in the first quarter and two in the second, but kept the Land O' Lakes offense in check so the lead didn't get out of hand.

In the third quarter, the Wildcats finally started hitting their shots and the Gators still weren't and that led to the 19-0 run Wesley Chapel had to overcome Land O' Lakes.

"Our intensity kicked and we just said we've got to finish it up strong," said Ashley Carey, who hit two field goals and was 4-for-4 from the line in the fourth quarter when Land O' Lakes was attempting a comeback.

Carey said the Wildcats felt another surge after double technicals were assessed at the end of the third quarter when the game started to bubble over emotionally and physically.

As for Land O' Lakes (24-3), though outlasted by the Wildcats for the second time this season, the Gators would have liked the district title but know their season continues.

"That's the beauty of making it to the district finals," Land O' Lakes coach Laurie Pacholke said. "You can take this bump, let this sting and learn from it."

The Gators received some somewhat relieving news immediately following the game when they learned that Freedom had upset Tampa Bay Tech in the 5A-8 district final, which means Land O' Lakes avoids playing Tampa Bay Tech in the regional quarterfinals Thursday. That challenge instead goes to Wesley Chapel.

Gulf Loses For 3rd Time To Nature Coast
WESLEY CHAPEL - Gulf coach Mike Quarto knew what his young Buccaneers would be up against when they played Nature Coast in the Class 4A-District 8 final Saturday at Wiregrass Ranch.

In two previous meetings, the Sharks, the No. 5 Class 4A team in the state, had won 50-45 and 43-30. In fact, no one in 4A-8 had been able to beat Nature Coast.

And it wouldn't happen this time either. Led by Cherikhan Waddy's 13 points and Shareka Maner's 11, Nature Coast won the district title with a 47-36 decision.

But the Bucs learned a valuable lesson. One that just might come in handy Thursday when Gulf travels to Orlando Bishop Moore for a regional quarterfinal contest.

Quarto's team doesn't give up and can come back on anyone. Trailing 12-4 after the first eight minutes, Gulf's Nicole Adams hit a field goal to start the second quarter, but the Bucs wouldn't score again until a 3-pointer by Jordan Schulman with 2:00 remaining.

Nature Coast stretched its lead to 34-17 after three quarters before the Bucs went on an 11-4 streak to cut the lead to eight (38-30) with 5 minutes left.

That was as close as Gulf would get. Adams led the Bucs in scoring with 12 points and Jordan Schulman added 11.

"We're 19-9 now. If you had told me that with a freshman point guard, four sophomores and two seniors that play that we'd win 19 games, I would have been surprised," Quarto said. "No one likes to win more than I do. I'm not happy but I like the way we came back."

The growth of the program will continue Thursday in Orlando.

"It's all about experience," Quarto said. "We get to play one of the top teams in the state in our classification No. 4 in the state. They're probably going to have a band there. They're probably going to have a big student body present. It's a great thrill for our kids to go into a situation like that."

Rick Harmon

Academy At The Lakes Loses In 1A-11 Final

CITRUS PARK - The fact that Academy of the Lakes girls basketball squad has secured a berth in Class 1A regional play isn't really surprising. The team has the talent.

But what is surprising is the team has gotten this far overcoming so many obstacles.

The Wildcats lost to Lakeside 54-40 Saturday in the Class 1A-11 district final. But just playing in the game was an accomplishment.

First, the Wildcats have only one senior and three juniors. The team is certainly well-stocked with underclassmen, including six freshmen. Since the team is so young, playing in big-time playoffs is new territory.

"We're inexperienced," said Academy of the Lakes coach Gary Tait. "This is the girls' first districts. Lakeside has experience. They've won a district before and they play like it."

But inexperience is not the only obstacle the team has faced. In fact, it may be the most insignificant obstacle. The school is expected to open its new gym soon. But in the meantime, Tait and his girls can only dream.

"The gym will open any day now," Tait said. "But it may not be soon enough for this year."

In the meantime, the team practices at Land O' Lakes Community Center.

"We don't have a gym," Tait said. "It's built and is opening any day. We don't have the luxury of stepping next to a classroom and going to a gym and practice. We share a community center that we get kicked out of because it is open to the public.

"It's very challenging. But that will all change pretty soon."

Often, the team has to practice outside. On occasion, when raindrops are falling.

"It's really difficult," Ashley Sookal said. "Sometimes we find ourselves outside in the drizzle. We often have to leave early because of cheerleading or other teams coming in. So it's definitely an obstacle."

Despite the challenges, Tait is excited about how the girls have rallied.

"You better believe that says something about the girls," Tait said. "I'm very proud of them. There are all kinds of challenges."

With all the bad luck in finding a facility to practice in, the team may have received some good fortune after their loss Saturday. Rather than playing Sarasota Christian, one of the dominant teams in 1A, Academy of the Lakes will travel Thursday to Sarasota Out-of-Door, which upset Sarasota Christian Saturday night.

Lee Diekemper

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