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Highlands Today

Bulldogs Drop Blue Streaks

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Sebring senior Hannah Shoop puts up a shot on Tuesday against DeSoto. Shoop finished with a team high 16 points and 15 rebounds.

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By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: November 27, 2008

SEBRING - Mike Lee feels like his team is getting closer.

With inexperience at nearly every position on the floor, the Sebring girls basketball team has taken its lumps thus far this season, but after a tough 49-39 district loss to DeSoto, Lee saw plenty of reasons for hope.

"As a team, we're trying to find an identity," Lee said, noting many of his players have been thrust into new roles, especially in the backcourt. "The good thing is, I feel like we're right there. We're averaging a ton of turnovers, but you take those away and we're right there.

"Our goal is to be competitive and see improvement every day. We have some glaring issues to deal with, but we'll focus on them."

DeSoto's Gabi Edelmann had 14 points to lead the Bulldogs, who stormed back from an early deficit to run away with the victory. Sebring senior Hannah Shoop led all scorers with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while sophomore Shannon Williams continued her varsity progression with a nine-point, 15-rebound, two-block performance.

She said Sebring's tendency to turn the ball over - the Streaks had 31 TOs on Tuesday - can't all be put on the its young guards.

"Posts can flash out and create space or set picks for the guards' man," Williams said. "We all need to work on our ball-handling, and that will make us better as team.

"I think we're progressing. A few more practices and we'll be used to this offense and working as a team."

Shoop said the Streaks had their chances despite not taking care of the ball well enough, but that the Bulldogs showed more intensity down the stretch.

"We had a couple of spots where we weren't rebounding as strong as we could have," she said. "We're improving, and I'm just trying to encourage the guards because they're working a hard as they can."

The Streaks (1-3, 0-3 district) employed its full-court press from the opening tip and led 15-11 after one quarter as Shoop was able to establish herself down low and score 11 points in the opening frame.

But DeSoto outscored Sebring 19-6 in the second quarter behind Edelmann's three 3-point bombs. Sebring junior Jerica Moore hit a jumper from the wing in the waning seconds of the half to pull the Streaks within single digits as the Bulldogs led 30-21 at the half.

Sebring's defense clamped down in the second half, but the Streaks struggled again with turnovers and let DeSoto build a 13-point led midway through the period. Sebring pulled the game within six points with 4:30 remaining, but its momentum stopped there and DeSoto streaked to the victory.

Lee said he felt positive about his team's effort and that at the very least, he felt like the team had established a defensive identity.

"I went zone and that's just not our personality," Lee said. "When we play zone, we relax on offense too much."

Williams, playing in her fourth varsity game, had a breakout performance, especially on the boards, where SHS assistant coach Terry Quarles has been working with her.

"The first few games, I was just trying to get used to playing varsity, getting up-tempo and knowing where I was going," Williams said. "Coach Quarles has been working with me on being tougher than the other rebounder. You have to get in front of them and show them you're bigger and stronger."

That's just the attitude Lee said he likes out of his posts, who he says are the strength of his team.

"We're huge and we can score and rebound with anybody," Lee said. "We just have to work on finishing."

The Streaks are back in action on Tuesday, when they travel to Hardee.

"I'm encouraged and I know we're going to be fine," Lee said. "I've said it before, but when you lose, you have two choices: You can pout, or you can roll up your sleeves and go to work.

"And we're going to go to work."

NOTES: Moore finished with eight points, while senior Kayla Clemens had three points and junior Emmanice McCullors had two points. The Streaks return home on Friday, Dec. 5, when they host Palmetto.

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

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