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Highlands Today Staff Report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

AVON PARK - Derrick McKenzie sank a pair of free throws with 4.1 seconds left to lead Avon Park to a 51-49 win over DeSoto in an exciting Class 4A-District 10 showdown on Friday.

The AP guard, who scored all three of his points from the line in the fourth, was forthcoming about being extremely nervous as he stepped to the charity stripe with the game on the line.

"I was really nervous when I was waiting for the ball at the line," McKenzie said. "Some of the DeSoto players smiled and said 'the game is on you' and that actually motivated me.

"I just concentrated and the shots fell for me."

The game was close throughout with Avon Park holding a slim 23-21 lead at the half and a two-point advantage heading into the final quarter.

With the Red Devils trailing by 48-45, point guard Avierre Conner sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game with 1:28 left in the game.

McKenzie split a pair from the line to give the Red Devils a one-point lead, but Jumaine Robinson tied the score with a free throw of his own, but McKenzie grabbed the rebound off the miss from the charity stripe and was fouled to send him to the line for the game winning shots.

Junior center Cleveland Nobles and sophomore forward Alonzo Robertson led the Red Devils with 13 points each and Avierre Conner chipped in with nine points, while Dorian Shine scored 14 points to lead all scorers.
Avon Park is back on the court on Thursday when they travel to face district foe Palmetto. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER: Lake Placid 6, McKeel 0

LAKELAND - Julie Shrewsbury and Erica Resendiz both scored a pair of goals, as Lake Placid pitched a shut-out in a 6-0 win over McKeel Academy in a Class 3A-District 10 match on Friday.

LP head coach John Merlo was pleased with the defensive effort and keeping McKeel from scoring, while enjoying the chance to watch his experiment paying dividends.

"Julie's move to midfield has really opened up the offense and added another dimension to our team," Merlo said. "We got another great game from Erica, who controls the middle better than anyone and Maribel Garza was switched to midfield and was able to give us some unexpected production."

Shrewsbury has scored three goals and had two assists in her second game after being switched to midfield from defense.

Garza scored in the second half and Yudi Terrones chipped in a goal for the Green Dragons, who are back on the field Tuesday when they host district foe Frostproof. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Avon Park 43, DeSoto 36

ARCADIA - Avon Park point guard Beonca Godfrey overcame injury to score a team-high 16 points and lead the Red Devils to a 43-36 victory over DeSoto in a Class 4A-District 10 game on Friday.

AP head coach Paulette Daley said the team showed more composure on the court that led to a key district win.

"DeSoto played man-to-man against us and I thought we handled the pressure tonight," Daley said. "Beonca got into a rhythm and was able to drive to the basket, which is the strength of her game.

"We really rebounded better as a team and it feels good to beat the previously undefeated Bulldogs on their home court."
Avon Park improves to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the district, while DeSoto suffered its first district loss of the season.

The Red Devils are back on the court Tuesday when they host Sebring at 1:30 p.m. for an in-school rivalry game.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Braden River 91, Sebring 76

BRADENTON - Tensions nearly came to a boil, as controversial calls and a huge difference in fouls made it even harder for Sebring, who fell to Braden River 91-76 in a Class 4A-District 10 match-up on Friday.

The fouls piled up for the Streaks, who were tallied for 15 in the first quarter versus just two for the Pirates, as several infractions nearly caused the benches to clear.

"The referees didn't have control of the game at all," SHS head coach Princeton Harris said. "We had five kids foul out and Braden River's whole bench stormed the court and I had to come to protect my kids at the risk of getting tossed."

Harris was happy the way his kids handled the adversity with class and battled back from a 15-point deficit to tie the game at one point.

"Braden River won't get away with some of the things they did when they come to our gym," Harris said. "We know we can handle them and we'll show them soon enough."

Joe Young led the Streaks with 18 points and Devin Clarke had 15, while Chris Grubb and Jake Tressell had 13 and 12 points, respectively to lead the balanced scoring attack.

Sebring hosts district foe Hardee on Tuesday with the game time set for 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Lake Placid 55, Mulberry 41

MULBERRY - Junior Sierra Weaver scored 16 points and freshman Jamacia Gayle had 13 to lead Lake Placid to a 55-41 win over Mulberry in a Class 3A-District 10 match-up on Friday.

"We had a very balanced scoring attack tonight and overcame a very slow start," LP head coach Shonda Legree said. "We were able to step up our defense and hold them in the fourth quarter."
Lake Placid scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to come back from a double-digit deficit in the final stanza.

Brandi Dolbert scored 12 points, as the Green Dragons finished with four girls in double-digits in scoring in the win.
Lake Placid travels to Sebring on Monday to play their cross-county rivals at 7:30 p.m.

The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5841 or sports@highlandstoday.com

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