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Freedom Flying Under The Radar

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By GREGG BECNEL Tribune correspondent

Published: January 17, 2008

It's hard to imagine that a team returning all five starters could fly under the radar. But that's exactly what Freedom has done this season.

The Patriots (15-6), who are on a five-game winning streak, quietly have gone about their business while not shying away from tough competition. Five of their six losses have come against some of the area's top teams, including Sickles, St. Petersburg Catholic and district rivals Tampa Bay Tech (twice) and Bloomingdale.

"I feel like the teams that are battle-tested throughout the season will have the upper hand come tournament time," Freedom coach Jason Herring said. "I feel like we are really coming together as a team.

"I stress preparing like a champion and warming up to win. A quote I have mentioned to my team is, 'Victory or defeat is not determined at the moment of the crisis, but rather in the long and unspectacular period of preparation.'"

The Patriots are led by seniors Charlet Davis and Kelley Maronic.

Davis has stepped up her game and is leading the team in scoring (17 points per game), rebounds (8.2), steals (3.6) and assists (2.2).

"Charlet has come into her own this year. She's a go-to player," Herring said. "She has taken the role of the scorer because of her versatility, but at the same time she is unselfish."

Maronic's numbers (8.2 points, 2.1 steals, 1.8 assists) have gone down this season, but her importance to the team has not.

"Kelley's scoring has gone down but she has continued to do whatever is needed for us to win," Herring said. "She does the little things."

Abby Alger (second in Hillsborough County in blocks with 3.2 per game), Barbara Battle, Brittany Gordon and Hannah Camp have filled their roles successfully.

"I'm proud of the hard work that has been put in

this season. The team has persevered through key injuries, hardships, and challenges that have molded us into the team we are now," Herring said. "The one common goal is to win and have fun doing so."

MIGHTY SHARK: Riverview might be struggling through

a 6-10 season, but guard

Crystal Blake has come up big on the court. The diminutive 5-foot-3 senior is averaging 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 steals per game in her first year as a regular starter.

"Crystal has been the one shining star for us," Sharks coach Lelani Gordon said. "She plays much bigger than her size, obviously. She is our captain and has really persevered and taken on a leadership role as a senior. She has been solid in every phase of the game, and a pleasure to coach."

Blake has scored more than 20 points eight times this season, including one game with 30 points, and has reached double figures in all but two games.

Correspondent Gregg Becnel

can be reached at gbecnel@

pop.tampatrib.com.

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