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Squad Seeks Playoff Hoopla

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By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

PLANT CITY - After some early success, the Durant girls basketball program has been in a bit of a postseason drought. But this year's team is doing its best to change things.

With a talented mix of seniors and underclassmen, Durant is putting together a strong season. The Cougars hit the 10-win mark last week and are having their first winning campaign since their last playoff trip in 2004.

"It looks like the best team we've had here in quite a few years," second-year head coach Kyla DonLevy said last week, after her team defeated Riverview 44-32.

The victory moved the Cougars to 10-5 and solidified their third-place standing in District 6A-8.

Durant ended up last in the district in 2007-08, but clearly this squad is different.

Seniors Janae Lancaster and Rachel Peterson, both solid inside players with a good scoring touch, are not having to bear the entire leadership role. Taylor Broadnax, a supremely smooth floor leader, is the starting point guard as a sophomore. Fellow 10th-grader Eryka Williams and freshman Ashley Nelson also start.

"We're very much improved over last year," said Broadnax, who like Williams and the Nelson sisters - Ashley's twin Asia also plays plenty of minutes - all compete in club basketball, and their experience shows.

Broadnax also competes in volleyball and track, but her No.1 sports endeavor is basketball, and DonLevy certainly appreciates the level of play she brings to the Cougars.

Like most of the team, Broadnax is capable of scoring but is also unselfish and will pass off whenever a teammate comes open.

"That's something we've been working on," DonLevy said. "If it's not there, don't force it; pass it off."

An example of that unselfishness shows in the team's balanced scoring. Through the Riverview game, the five starters were all averaging between six and 12 points with Broadnax, Williams and Peterson all in double figures per game.

To reach the playoffs, the Cougars will inevitably have to defeat one of the Sarasota teams in the district tournament. Sarasota Riverview, followed by Sarasota, sits atop the 6A-8 standings with Durant in third. Though the Cougars have lost to both so far, the games were within reach.

"We're really going to have to play with confidence against them, but we know we can do it," Broadnax said.

Beginning in 1997, the Cougars earned their way to the playoffs eight seasons in a row, with only one exception. But Durant has not seen the postseason since 2004, when it lost to eventual Final Four team Kissimmee Osceola.

The regular season goes through the end of the month, then the district tournament starts Feb. 3 at Plant City High. The Raiders, although they don't have a winning record this year, can still contend come tournament time as well.

Durant swept the season series, completing the task by winning 47-38 at Plant City High on Jan. 9. Tekeyah Clark scored 18 for Plant City in that one.

All but one of Plant City's losses this year have been by fewer than 10 points. Quet Shaw has been the leading scorer with a 16-point average and Clark, Jade Forte and Collisha Walker have all averaged in the 8- to 9-point range.

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