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Tornadoes Twist Past Streaks

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring sophomore Shannon Williams puts up a shot over Booker's Alicia Jackson during the third period of Thursday night's Class 4A-District 10 game.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 22, 2008

SEBRING - The rivalry between the Booker and Sebring girls basketball teams is as strong as ever after Thursday night's nail-biter.

The Tornadoes, who defeated the Blue Streaks last year in the Class 4A-District 10 finals and the regional semifinals, pulled the trick again on Thursday by a score of 42-41.

Booker guard Kay Larkins scored a game-high 21 points to go with eight steals and center Alicia Jackson added seven points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Tornadoes to the hard-fought win.

Sebring, which committed 17 turnovers - 11 in the first quarter alone - was led by guard Tangie McCullors, who scored a team-high 14 points, and senior forward Hannah Shoop, who had seven points and 22 rebounds.

"It's tough to lose to Booker again," said Shoop. "It still hurts from losing to them last year and every game comes down to the lass few seconds.

"But it's early in the season and we're working hard to improve every part of our game and we just have to keep our heads up."

Sebring, which had 46 turnovers in a loss to Avon Park on Tuesday, fell behind in the first quarter due to full-court pressure from the Tornadoes, but the Blue Streaks made some adjustments to claw their way back into the contest.

"It would've been nice to win, but I'm very pleased with the girls because we had great energy on defense and really hustled the entire game," said Blue Streak coach Mike Lee. "We did a much better job against the pressure after the first quarter and fought our way back into the game.

"Booker hit some big shots and we made some turnovers and that was the difference."

Booker took control in the opening minutes of the game with its suffocating full-court press and Larkins scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, to give the Tornadoes a 14-6 lead heading into the second period.

Sebring started to break the Booker press for easy baskets and sophomore forward Shannon Williams, who finished with eight points and nine rebounds, dominated the inside as the Blue Streaks pulled within 20-19 at the half.

"Shannon has good size and worked hard in the gym over the summer," said Lee. "She is young, but when she gets some experience and starts to figure things out, she's going to be a force in the paint."

The Blue Streaks battled the Tornadoes on even terms in the third period with guard Jerica Moore scoring five of her seven points, but a bucket at the buzzer by Jackson gave Booker a 31-27 advantage heading into the final eight minutes.

McCullors got hot from outside with back-to-back jumpers and Shoop's rebound basket brought the Streaks within 40-39 with 13.3 seconds remaining.

Larkin was fouled and calmly swished both free throws.

Sebring had two good looks from behind the 3-point arc, but neither shot would fall and Booker corralled the rebound to secure the win.

The win improved the Tornadoes to 1-1, while the loss dropped the Blue Streaks to 1-3.

"We forgot who to cover on a couple of out-of-bounds plays and gave up some easy baskets which hurt us," said Lee. "I'm proud of our effort and the girls positive attitude throughout the game.

"It's early in the season and we have a lot of work to do, but we have the potential to be a good team."

Sebring is back in action with a home game against district rival DeSoto on Tuesday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-385-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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