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Tampa Catholic Has Youth On Its Side

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By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

TAMPA - They are a victory away from the state tournament, but you would never know it by the way the Tampa Catholic players are carrying themselves.

The Crusaders are young, and they are playing with a bit of innocence.

"Getting to state doesn't happen very often," Tampa Catholic coach Nancy Kroll said. "I'm not sure they know how big a deal this is, which can be a good thing."

Tampa Catholic (27-2) faces Melbourne Central Catholic (16-13) in tonight's Class 3A-Region 3 final. The winner advances to the state final four next week. Kroll has known since the Crusaders' victory at St. Petersburg Catholic on Dec. 12 that her team was capable of making a long playoff run.

"I don't think we had beaten them at their gym in 10 years," Kroll said. "The Crusaders handled the pressure of the big game."

Tampa Catholic is led by three players scoring in double digits - junior Colette Eule (19.7 ppg), junior Sarah Brennan (16.6) and Micah Kroll (11.9) - but the Crusaders get help from role players who make an impact in games that don't also show up on the stat sheet.

Only two teams have beaten Tampa Catholic this season - Jefferson, which is playing Boca Ciega tonight in the 5A-Region 3 final, and Mitchell. Since losing to Mitchell on Jan. 17, the Crusaders have reeled off nine consecutive victories.

"They weren't mentally prepared for that game, and we got into foul trouble," Kroll said. "That game taught us to play smarter basketball."

Kroll said the plan tonight is to key on senior forward Crystal Rogers, the Lady Hustlers' leading scorer. Rogers scored 39 points in Melbourne Central Catholic's region semifinal victory against Melbourne West Shore.

Other than that, the Crusaders' game plan will pretty much adhere to the formula that has helped them emerge as one of the top 3A teams.

"They've got to be able to stop us," Kroll said. "I told the girls they can go down as one of the best teams in Tampa Catholic basketball history."

CLASS 5A-3 Jefferson (26-1) at Boca Ciega (27-3): Coach Tom Mosca said his Dragons team sent a message to the state with its semifinal victory against Clearwater. Actually, Jefferson has been sending a message all season.

Playing with poise that belies its youth, Jefferson smothers teams with its defense and has three players who average in double figures in scoring - freshman Shayla Wilson (12.4 ppg), sophomore Laurie' Beaty (11.6) and junior Jade Givens (11.2).

The Dragons defense will be tested by Boca Ciega's strong outside shooting. The Pirates made nine 3-pointers in their semifinal victory against Bradenton Southeast and had three players in double digits - Tori Stephens (25), Latavia Dempsey (24) and Tamara Taylor (16).

CLASS 5A-2 Lake Howell at Wesley Chapel (26-2): Wesley Chapel took out two of the top Hillsborough County teams (Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech) in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Senior Janelle Mills had a lot to do with those victories. Capable of taking over a game with a strong inside game and dominating defense, Mills has been on a roll since returning from a broken wrist that sidelined her for 19 games.

In her absence, one of the players who stepped up offensively was sophomore Hannah Noble. Also a strong defensive player, Noble showed off her offensive versatility while Mills was out - and that versatility will be needed against Lake Howell.

CLASS 1A-3, Cambridge (14-10) at Sarasota Christian (21-7): After losing to Seffner Christian twice in the regular season, Cambridge managed to topple the Crusaders when it mattered most - in the district championship game and in Tuesday's region semifinal.

The Lancers escaped with a two-point victory, advancing to face Sarasota Christian. Cambridge has won six of its past seven games, with the only loss coming against Tampa Catholic.

Cambridge is led by sophomore Rachel Bode (10.7 ppg), junior Chachere Moore (8.9) and junior Melissa Olsson (7.9).

Correspondent Lee Diekemper contributed to this report.

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