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AP Makes Opening Statement

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Markida Hawthorne 5 drives to the hoop through the defense of Sebring's Kayla Clemens left during the Red Devils' 52-22 victory over the Streaks in each team's season opener.

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By BRIAN GJURGEVICH Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2008

SEBRING - It would've been easy for the Avon Park girls basketball team to get ahead of itself.

After running out to a halftime lead that silenced a gym packed with restless Sebring students, the Red Devils looked to be on the verge of toppling the Blue Streaks for the first time since anyone could remember.

Seven years of losses. Two quarters of basketball. One chance to finally make a rivalry relevant again.

"Coach told us at halftime, it's 0-0," said senior Daija Barrett. "We started all over again. We said, let's finish this out."
Avon Park did just that, pressuring a young Sebring backcourt and getting ahead of nearly every pass on the defensive end on its way to a 52-22 victory in an in-school season opener at SHS. The relentless Red Devils led by 10 after one, held Sebring to two points in the second quarter and never took their foot off the gas in the second half, forcing 46 Blue Streak turnovers along the way for their first win over Sebring since 2001.

"Overall, it's about time," exhaled AP coach Paulette Daley. "It's always a great rivalry when you hear about Sebring and Avon Park. But now we can actually hear Avon Park beat Sebring."

Senior Beonca Godfrey, who led the Devils with 16 points, said her team knew Sebring was young in the backcourt, having graduated senior guards and court leaders Whitney Lee and Brenita Grant.

"We had this intensity," Godfrey said. "We executed and that gave us momentum. We ran our plays and worked as a team and came out with a lot of confidence."

Barrett added 12 points, Jamee Hawthorne added nine points and Brekayla English had six points for AP, which pressured Sebring's guards from the opening tip, stepping into passing lanes getting key jumpers from Jamee and Markida Hawthorne to take a 16-6 lead after one. The Devil defense clamped down even more in the second quarter, holding the Streaks without a bucket until 1:20 remained in the half.

"They played their game and took it to us," said Sebring coach Mike Lee. "I have to give all the credit to Avon Park.

"We didn't take care of the ball. We played hard, but they capitalized on every mistake."
Sebring picked up its defense in the third quarter, holding the Devils to just seven points in the frame. That's when Daley reminded her team of the stakes.

"I told them, 'Ladies, this is real-deal game, we need to do what we did in the first half,'" Daley said. "We kind of lost our heads a little there with the man-to-man pressure.

"But once we settled them down, they knew what to do. And they made good passes and got a few layups off that pressure."

But most of the pressure was dressed in red, according to coach Lee.

"It was exactly like what we'd talked about them doing," he said, noting AP was aggressive in forcing their way into Sebring's passing lanes. "We knew their guards were their speed and strength. No suprise, we just didn't handle it well."

Junior Jerica Moore had six points to lead the Streaks, while Olivia Bullock, Shannon Williams and Hannah Shoop had four points a piece. Shoop also led the Streaks with 25 rebounds.

"I like that stat," Lee said with a hint of grin. "She was everywhere. We need to get her some help."

Lee said his team will focus on the positives of the second half, when the Streaks improved their passing and made the Devils work for every bucket. Such a loss to open the season is difficult, Lee said, but he doesn't see a lot of quit in his group.

"When you get beat like we got beat, how you respond shows a lot about what your character is," Lee said. "Are you going to sit around and pout or are you going to get to work?

"I'm a get-to-work kind of guy."

Barrett said the victory was a group effort, and the "fresh legs" in the second half kept up the pace. She said a big rivalry win, especially to start the season, was huge for the Red Devils' confidence.

"They're our rivals, but you know we love them to death," Barrett said. "We just had to break tradition and get on top tonight.

"But it's the first game of the season and we're not looking back. It's a long season."
Avon Park is back in action at 7:30 tonight, when they host Palmetto, while Sebring hosts Booker at 7:30 tonight. See Saturday's Highlands Today for results.

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

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