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Highlands Today

Devils' Pressure Again Ties Up Streaks

AP EARNS SEASON SWEEP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2001; Avon Park 55, Sebring 31

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Daija Barrett goes for the ball between Sebring's Olivia Bullock and Shannon Williams during Tuesday's district game.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: December 18, 2008

AVON PARK - Christmas came a week early for Beonca Godfrey and the Avon Park girls basketball team.

Godfrey drained three 3-pointers to help her get her out of a scoring slump and in the process ignited a back-breaking 18-3 run in the second quarter to lead the Red Devils to 55-31 Class 4A-District 10 victory over archrival Sebring in front of much of Avon Park' student body on Tuesday afternoon.

"I haven't been myself lately after a death in my family and some nagging injuries," Godfrey said. "But I knew I had to get my mind set and I came ready to play today. This was the perfect game to break out of my funk."

Godfrey led all scorers with 16 points, but it was the Avon Park press that stymied the Sebring offense at every turn and helped the Red Devils earn a regular season sweep over the Streaks for the first time since 2001.

Sebring head coach Mike Lee attributes the two losses to Avon Park this season to their inexperience at the guard position.

"Avon Park has guards that have been playing together for a while and it shows in their execution and ball handling," Lee said. "Our guards are still learning to play with one another and the chemistry is still developing. Avon Park pressured our guards and forced them into making bad decisions.

"Their main strength in their guards is our weakness."

The Red Devils bested the Streaks 55-22 last month using the same type of pressure defense that forced 46 turnovers.

"Everybody played their roles today and our defense set up our offense beautifully," Avon Park head coach Paulette Daley said. "Beonca was key in sparking our offense by putting pressure on their guards and hitting from the perimeter that gave us control of the game."

With an 11-9 lead early in the second quarter, Godfrey drained back-to-back 3-pointers and the Streaks coughed up the ball five times during the 18-3 run that quickly put the visitors in a huge hole with the score 29-12 to go up by 15 points at the half to the applause of the crowd.

"I think the crowd was a factor," Avon Park forward Brearnna Tate said. "I know I fed off the crowd. It's great to play in these in-school games and have that fan base cheering for you."

Sebring came out for the second half looking almost defeated and it showed in their play, as Avon Park rattled off 11 unanswered points for a 43-17 lead on the strength of good inside play by center Johnequa Perry and Daija Barrett, who combined for eight points during the run.

Lee had no answers for Avon Park, who scored from every place on the court.

"Bottom line is that Avon Park played a great game," Lee said. "We took away their penetration and to their credit, they hit some nice outside shots. The fact is that we didn't adjust to their press and we didn't shoot the ball well.

"To say the least, I'm disappointed in our effort today."

Sebring center Shannon Williams and Jerica Moore both scored seven points to lead the Streaks, but Williams went down to the floor hard in the fourth quarter. She was helped off the floor and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Her status is unknown at press time.

Barrett finished the game with 13 points, while Ja'nee Hawthorne scored eight points, while Tangie McCullors and Zyceria Dawkins each had six for the Streaks.

Avon Park is back on the court today when they travel to face district foe Palmetto with game time at 6 p.m., while Sebring is on the road against Booker at 7:30 p.m.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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