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Okeechobee Sneaks Past Sebring At Tip-Off Classic

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring's Jerica Moore is harassed by Okeechobee's Essence Williams during Tuesday's preseason game.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: November 13, 2008

SEBRING - Drama normally isn't associated with preseason games, but the matchup between Sebring and Okeechobee on Tuesday provided its fair share of tension.

Sebring's Jerica Moore split a pair of free throws with 11.4 seconds left to tie the game at 46, but Okeechobee's Essence Williams hit both shots from the charity stripe and stole the ball in the final seconds to give the Brahmans a 48-46 in the Blue Streaks' Tip-Off Classic.

"That was more drama than I would've liked for a first game," said Sebring head coach Mike Lee. "We saw what we wanted to look like and not wanted to look like all in the same game."

The Streaks exploded with a second-half surge behind solid defense and good shot selection to rally back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit.

Senior forward Hannah Shoop, who scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds despite being in foul trouble, led Sebring's offensive charge.

"I thought we finally put things together in the second half," Shoop said. "We're still learning to play together on the court. We have a whole new backcourt and they'll get better at learning where we like the ball and being more comfortable with the offense.

"We're only going to get better."

Sebring's first half woes were attributed to bad passing and poor shot selection, which led to the Streaks scoring just 13 points at the half, including just four in the second quarter.

But despite the tepid start from his Streaks, Lee was more pleased than unhappy with the play of his young team.

"We obviously have some things we need to work on," Lee said. "But this is why you play preseason games. You want to see how the team responds to real game situations and I thought we responded well in the second half, especially after they extended their lead."

Okeechobee, who held a six-point lead at the half, scored the first eight points of the third quarter behind back-to-back steals by Williams, who finished with a team-high 12 points for the Brahmans. Okeechobee then extended the lead to 14 points, which forced Lee to call a timeout.

"I just told them to settle down and run our offense," Lee said.

The Streaks responded by going on a 15-6 run to end the third quarter behind solid contributions by Moore, Targie McCullors and senior forward Olivia Bullock, who returned to the team after a year away from the game.

"I just needed some time to get my school work in order," Bullock said. "I was taking a lot of college courses and I wanted to devote my time to my school work.

"I fell right back into being with the team and it was like I never left. It's great being back on the court and around these girls. I got a real adrenaline rush after I made my first basket. We have a good vibe on this team and we'll keep getting better as the season moves along."

Lee was ecstatic about Bullock's performance off the bench and expects even more as the season progresses.

"Olivia really adds depth and size in the middle for us," Lee said. "I loved her aggressiveness and she is so calm on the court. She doesn't get rattled under pressure, which really helps when the game is on the line."

Bullock finished the game with seven points, two rebounds and a blocked shot in her first game back since early 2007.

Newcomer Shannon Williams also made her presence felt early in the fourth quarter when she scored back-to-back baskets to give the Streaks their first lead of the game at 38-36 with less than four minutes to play.

The game was a see-saw affair from that point on until the final moments when Williams hit the go-ahead free throws.

McCullors scored six points and pulled down six rebounds and earned praise from her coach.

"Targie gave us a lot of energy," Lee said. "She's really athletic and made some tough shots tonight. With all her skills, she's a player that people will have to keep their eye on this year."

Sebring is back on the court tonight when they face Bartow in the continuation of the Blue Streak Tip-Off Classic, which is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or choffman@highlandstoday.com

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