Sebring Breezes Past LaBelle

SEBRING - Taking out a week's worth of frustration, the Sebring girls basketball team, led by junior forward Hannah Shoop's 18 points and 14 rebounds, pounded LaBelle 52-34 on Friday night.

The non-district win improved the Class 4A Blue Streaks to 1-1 on the season and eased some of the sting from losing their District-10 opener to Palmetto on Tuesday night.

"We're still mad about losing to Palmetto and we wanted to come out and play with a lot of intensity tonight," said Shoop. "We didn't come out prepared to play against Palmetto and it cost us, and we were determined to stay focused and play hard tonight.
"We took out our anger on LaBelle."

The loss dropped the 3A Cowboys, who were playing their third road game of the week, to 2-1.
Sebring, which edged LaBelle by only three points last week in a preseason tournament, took control of the game early in the first period as senior forward Whitney Lee scored eight of her 11 points from outside, while the 5-foot-9 Shoop scored six points in the paint as the Blue Streaks enjoyed a 16-7 lead after the first eight minutes.

"We were nervous when we played them last week because it was the first game of the season," Shoop said. "But we're over that and we just wanted to come out and play like we know how."

Point guard Brenita Grant, who had nine points to go with nine assists, used her quickness to penetrate the Cowboys defense to create easy baskets for herself and her teammates as Sebring extended its lead to 33-17 at the half.

"After Monday's loss, we had two good practices and we kind of refocused on the fundamentals of communicating, boxing out and being in the right positions," said first-year Blue Streak coach Mike Lee. "We played a lot harder and executed much better tonight.

"We've had a good run the last few years in the district and every team we play wants to beat us and give us their best shot. We have to be ready to play every night, and I think the girls are starting to realize that."

Sebring increased its lead as Priscilla Adams, who finished with four points and five rebounds, controlled the paint, while Lee, who finished with eight rebounds and eight assists, continued to score from the perimeter to build the lead to 43-26 heading into the final eight minutes.

Lee substituted freely, but LaBelle, which was led by Chelsey Ramos' 16 points, never mounted a rally against the stingy Streak zone defense.

"We were able to play a lot of the girls, and that's what we want to do because we'll need that depth and experience down the road," Lee said.

The convincing win over the Cowboys was a team effort, with Shoop and Lee playing vital roles.
"Hannah is consistent because she is averaging a double-double and is our leading rebounder," Lee said. "She comes to play every night and Whitney had a good night shooting the ball.

"We need them to play well and we need our seniors to be leaders and set the tone for us."
Sebring hosts arch-rival Avon Park in a key District 10 game on Tuesday night in the Blue Streak gym.

"That's a big game for sure," Lee said. "I watched Avon Park beat Palmetto the other night and they have a good team with a lot of talented athletes.
"It's always a challenge against them and we're looking forward to it."