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Knapik Helping Build Bulls

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - As a second-year school, Wiregrass Ranch has had what it takes to build a successful program in strong, young players such as Regan Knapik.

The 5-foot-9 sophomore forward might not be the loudest leader of the Bulls' girls basketball team, though she is one of the brightest.

"She's contributing more and being a true team player," Wiregrass Ranch coach Greg Finkel said. "Last year she was counted on to score, and she can score.

"She had three 3's in a row against Zephyrhills, and after that she started dishing it off. When she wants to score, she can score. She has one of the nicer shots I've seen in high school ball, and she's just a sophomore."

Knapik's offensive numbers are down slightly from her freshman season, but the other aspects of her game have improved.

"I think I have more help this year," Knapik said.

"I have more players to work with and I can get more open shots."

Knapik is averaging 12.4 points per game, which leads the team. She also leads in steals (51) and is second in rebounds (3.8 per game).

"I'd like to improve on defense, get more steals and more opportunities on offense," Knapik said.

The Bulls are around the middle of the pack in their nine-team district.

"We've come together way more than last year," Knapik said. "And our freshmen that came up are helping us out a lot."

Wiregrass Ranch (4-15-2 entering Tuesday night's game) already has surpassed its victory total from last season and is hoping for a little extra boost from hosting the district tournament this year.

"Even the teams that are seeded 1 and 2, we didn't lose too badly to them, so anything could happen, and these kids know that, so we'll see," Finkel said.

The Bulls also are hoping to advance Knapik further in the statewide 3-point shooting contest that Gulf's Jordan Schulman won last year. Knapik had been doing well but couldn't make the two-hour trip to participate in the later rounds of the competition.

Knapik doesn't play basketball outside of Wiregrass Ranch. She also plays volleyball and softball for the Bulls; softball is her main sport.

With the improvement she has shown in one season, the Bulls expect her to develop at the same rate the next two seasons.

Knapik said she didn't feel as comfortable her freshman year as she does now, so those expectations are more than understandable.

"She still gets bumped off the ball, but I think next year she's just going to sprout," Finkel said.

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