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Girls District Basketball Break Down

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2009

Girls district basketball tournaments begin today, and several area schools are favorites to win and advance to the playoffs.

Class 6A-District 8

Durant and East Bay stand the best chance of pushing No. 1 seed Sarasota and No. 2 seed Sarasota Riverview for spots in the playoffs. The Cougars are led by Taylor Broadnax and Eryka Williams, who each average 12.3 points per game.

The Indians have Shytina Harley (14.1 ppg) and Dasia Daniels (12.6). Harley also contributes with an average of 11.7 rebounds per game.

Plant City also could make some noise with the help of Quet Shaw (15.8 ppg) and Jade Forte (11.1 rpg).

Class 6A-District 7

Sickles enters the tournament riding a nine-game winning streak. The Gryphons beat all of their district opponents but one, No. 1 seed St. Petersburg. The Green Devils bested Sickles by 13 points in their first meeting, but in their second game last month, the Gryphons lost by only four.

Both teams should meet again in the finals and to finally beat St. Pete, Sickles will need big games from its top scorers, sophomore forward Amber Henson (19.2 ppg) and freshman point guard Bre Crum (13.5 ppg).

Class 5A-District 10

Defending district champion Plant lost to Jefferson in the first regular-season meeting by 23 points. In the second game, the Panthers lost by 12. Plant junior guard Michelle Taylor predicted the teams would meet again in the district final and she hopes for a different outcome.

That will be difficult considering Jefferson's strong defensive play, and when their offensive output matches their defensive strength, the Dragons are unbeatable. Jade Givens (12.2 ppg), Shayla Wilson (12.0) and Laurie Beaty (11.6) led Jefferson.

Blake gave Jefferson a scare just before the end of the regular season, and Hillsborough has shown flashes of greatness this season, but this is Jefferson's district to lose.

Class 5A-District 8

A coin toss determined the No. 1 seed since Tampa Bay Tech and Armwood split the regular-season series. Tech won the first game in overtime by three points, but the Hawks won the second by 18.

The Titans were without the county assists leader Leria Jenrette in the second game. Jenrette was recovering from stab wounds sustained in a fight on New Year's Eve. After missing nine games, Jenrette returned at the end of the regular season and isn't showing signs of the injury.

The Hawks will be tough to beat with former Titan Dee Dee Davis leading the way with 12.7 points per game and Corlissa Pope averaging 10.

Class 4A-District 9

Spoto struggled in the regular season and will struggle in this tournament with a slim chance of making it to the final to earn a spot in the playoffs. The Spartans have been reeling emotionally since before the Christmas holidays, when Coach Don Fields suffered a stroke.

Class 3A-District 11

Tampa Catholic's goal at the beginning of the season was to push district favorites Academy of the Holy Names and St. Pete Catholic. The Crusaders did more than that. They dominated.

With three players averaging double digits - Colette Eule (20.4), Sarah Brennan (16.5) and Micah Kroll (11.6) - Tampa Catholic should advance to the postseason.

St. Pete Catholic and Academy should battle for the second playoff spot. The Jaguars will get help from Hillsborough County's leading scorer, Katie Davis (22.6).

Class 2A-District 9

Tampa Prep and Indian Rocks Christian should meet in the final. The Golden Eagles won both regular-season games, but only by eight in the second meeting.

The Terrapins will need big games from Alena Ransom and Ayala Wasser. Wasser put up 18 points in one of Tampa Prep's final regular-season games last week, a loss to Academy.

Class 1A-District 11

Citrus Park Christian won four of its final six games to claim the No. 1 seed. The Eagles have two players averaging double digits - Bailey Hooker (13.5 ppg) and Mady Kaplan (12.8). Hooker is also big on the boards, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game.

Class 1A-District 10

Seffner Christian, with the benefit of being the No. 1 seed in a three-team district, already has a spot in the postseason. But how far the Crusaders advance in the playoffs will be determined by how the team responds to the loss of leading scorer Jenny Moorer.

Moorer, one of the county's leading scorers and rebounders (17.2 ppg/13.1 rpg), tore her ACL in a Jan. 22 game against Lakeland Christian. The Crusaders lost three of their final four games without her.

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