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Late Rally Pushes Nova Past Bogie

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 26, 2009

Boca Ciega squandered an eight-point fourth-quarter lead as Davie Nova came from behind for a 42-41 victory in the Class 5A semifinal game. Nova scored nine consecutive points near the end of the fourth quarter, capped by Tonya Aaron's free throw that gave the Lady Titans a one-point lead with 2.6 seconds remaining in the game.

It's the second consecutive year Boca Ciega lost in the state semifinals. Nova will play Winter Park Lake Howell in Friday's championship game.

The Pirates three leading scorers - Tamara Taylor, Tory Stephens and Latavia Dempsey - struggled with their shooting early on. All three combined to go 5 of 23 in the first half. Taylor missed her first seven shots, while the team as a whole missed its first 12 shots.

The Pirates fell behind early. Shooting only 19 percent from the field, Boca Ciega was able to overcome a slow start and a nine-point deficit to take the lead for the first time with a strong third quarter.

Led by Taylor's three 3-pointers, the Pirates pulled ahead with a 13-6 run in the third. Taylor finished with a team-high 13 points. Jassany Williams led Nova with a game-high 17.

Katherine Smith

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