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Girls Basketball: Tampa Catholic Rolls

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A Tribune staff report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2009

TAMPA - Tampa Catholic's aggressive style of play was too much for Berkeley Prep as the Crusaders advanced to the Class 3A-District 11 championship game with a 74-44 semifinal victory against the Buccaneers on Wednesday night.

The Crusaders got points from nearly everyone, including double digits from junior forwards Sarah Brennan (25) and Colette Eule (18). Berkeley Prep senior Jalan Wishik led her team with 24.

TC used an effective press in the first half to build a 22-point lead. They increased that lead to 36 at one point early in the second half to earn a running clock.

"They do, for the most part, see the floor very well," Tampa Catholic coach Nancy Kroll said. "We did a good job of hitting the open person tonight."

Tampa Catholic will face St. Pete Catholic in Friday night's title game. The Crusaders swept their district foes this season, including two wins against the Barons.

Academy of the Holy Names failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2004 with its 56-48 loss to St. Petersburg Catholic in the first semifinal. The Jaguars rallied from six down in the first half to tie the game at the end of the second quarter.

Holy Names took a two-point lead early in the third quarter, but the Barons were able to take advantage of several Jaguars turnovers to pull away.

Katie Davis led the Jaguars with 22 points, while Jerica Coley led the Barons with 23.

Katherine Smith

Mitchell Holds Off Gaither In 6A-7

CLEARWATER - Seemingly in control of its Class 6A-District 7 quarterfinal game with a 20-point lead, Mitchell nearly had a monumental collapse and needed a quick burst of energy from one of its best players to dodge the upset with a 52-44 win against Gaither.

Mitchell went cold in the final quarter, watching Gaither rally, mostly on free throws, to narrow the gap to 45-39 on a layup by Shanel Sweet as the Cowboys ran off a 14-0 run.

Mitchell guard Latrel Kirkland may have saved the game and the season for the Mustangs. Her 3-point basket immediately followed on the next possession with a steal and a layup stopped the bleeding and gave Mitchell a 50-39 margin with 51 seconds left.

"I had to do what I had to do. Somebody had to step up," Kirkland said. "It just happened. I had to take over. I had to regain my composure and I got it."

"Sometimes that happens," a relieved Mitchell coach Jacob Tavo said. "Sometimes that happens. But we got a W. We win and advance."

In the nightcap, Countryside started slow, but on the heels of some solid backcourt defense, wore down Alonso for a 60-33 win.

Both Mitchell and Countryside advance to Friday's semifinals. Mitchell will face top seed St. Petersburg at 8 p.m.; Countryside will play Sickles at 6 p.m.

Lee Diekemper

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