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Sebring Girls Stumble Against Braden River Barrage

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring's Jerica Moore launches a 15-foot jumper from the left side against Braden River on Friday.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: January 25, 2009

SEBRING - The Sebring girls basketball team cut a 13-point lead down to just six in the fourth quarter on Friday night, but the Braden River defense clamped down and Jerica Moore's jumper with 3:21 left in the quarter would be the last points for the Streaks in a 61-48 loss in a Class 4A-District 10 finale for both teams.

"I didn't realize we didn't score for that long in the fourth," Lee said. "We were making mistakes and turning the ball over way too much down the stretch and we made silly fouls that put them on the line for free points.

"Against a team like Braden River, you can't just give them points. You have to make them earn every point they get."

The long-range shooters of Braden River foiled every attempt that Sebring made at making a serious run at an upset.

Pirate guards Heather Mirabella and Caitlyn Benedetto were deadly from beyond the arc, scoring 16 and 19 points, respectively.

Mirabella was especially harsh on the Streaks, as she hit four 3-pointers in the game.

"Mirabella killed us last time, so we tried to step up our defense and take away the outside shot early in the game, but they then started penetrating to the basket and we didn't stop them," Lee said. "As coaches, we have to do a better job of preparation and the players have to stop making the same mistakes time and time again."

With Sebring down 43-30 midway through the third and trying to get back into the game, Mirabello hit a pair of 3-pointers that helped the Pirates go into the fourth with a 10-point advantage.

Moore says that her team just wasn't in the game during the first half that saw Braden River build a 33-19 half time lead.

"We weren't playing well during the first half and Braden River took advantage of that," Moore said. "I felt we made a decent comeback in the second half, but down the stretch, I think our emotions got the best of us and we started making mistakes. We made bad passes and kept turning the ball over and you can't win when you're turning the ball over."

The Streaks were down 12-4 after the first quarter and 33-19 at the half before outscoring the Pirates 23-19 in the third.

The loss means that Sebring will no doubt be in the back of the pack with just one district win over Hardee this season. Still, Lee feels the Streaks have the potential to make some noise in the tournament and was proud they didn't quit against the Pirates.

"We're in a very tough district," said Lee. "There are no easy games and that's why I'm very encouraged that we'll be competitive in the tournament. Any team can get beat on any given night and we just have to play much better at protecting the basketball.

"It's not a pipe dream to think that we've got a shot in the tournament. We've lost a lot of close games this year and I know we have the potential."

Senior Hannah Shoop led the Streaks with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, while Tangie McCullors finished with 10 points and five rebounds and forward Shannon Williams chipped in with six points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Sebring is back on the court Tuesday when they host LaBelle in a non-district game. Tip-off time is 7:30 p.m.

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