Gators Chomp On Blue Streaks

Forward Meghan Keough scored a game-high 18 points, including 13 in the second half, as Land O' Lakes held on for a hard-fought 43-41 win over Sebring in girls basketball on Saturday.

The win improved the athletic Gators to 5-4 on the season, while the non-district loss dropped the Blue Streaks to 3-7.

"It was a close game and we like playing Land O' Lakes because they are great competition and are well coached," said Sebring coach Mike Lee. "It's good, clean, hard basketball and we're both just trying to improve so we can be more competitive in our districts.

"We want to play tough teams and we had a chance to win because of our defensive effort, but things just didn't go our way the last few minutes of the game."

Both teams started out ice cold from the floor to open the game before Sebring sophomore Shannon Williams hit a baseline jumper with 3:41 remaining in the first period.

Williams, who finished with a team-high 11 points, also pulled down 15 rebounds and blocked five shots in a dominating performance in the paint.

"Shannon is only a sophomore, but she has a lot of ability and is getting more comfortable every game she plays," Lee said.

Sebring senior forward Hannah Shoop, who had seven points and hauled in a game-high 17 rebounds, added three points and guard Kayla Clemens added a bucket to give the Blue Streaks an 11-7 lead heading into the second quarter.

Sebring, which forced 15 turnovers with its quickness, got four points from Shoop, but couldn't pull away from the scrappy Gators as guard Melissa Sanchez scored four points and Ashley Perkerson buried a 3-pointer to pull Land O' Lakes within two points at halftime.

"We had a great defensive effort with a lot of hustle and we did a good job on the boards," said Lee. "I saw a lot more good things than bad and we continue to show improvement."

The two teams battled evenly in the third quarter and headed to the final eight minutes with Sebring holding a 30-28 advantage.

Keough came alive in the final period and made a layup to give Land O' Lakes a 38-36 lead with 1:03 remaining in the game.

Sebring, which had 23 turnovers, had two good looks to tie the game, but the ball rolled off the rim and the Gators pulled down the rebound.

The Blue Streaks fouled Land O' Lakes with 26.8 seconds left to play.

Instead of a regular foul, Sebring was charged with an intentional foul which gave the Gators two shots and possession of the ball.

Lee voiced his displeasure with the call and was hit with a technical foul.

Land O' Lakes guard Arille Nichols sank three out of the four free throws to give the Gators a five-point lead.

Clemens connected for a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but the Blue Streaks ran out of time.

"That call changed the game," said Lee. "It was a good, close game and you hate to see that happen, but there's nothing we can do about it.

"We have lots of room for improvement, but the girls are working hard to get where we want to be in January."

Sebring hosts Lake Placid tonight, is at Avon Park on Tuesday and at Sarasota Booker on Thursday.

"We need to turn the corner and quit making mistakes to be a good team and this week gives us a chance to see how far we've come," said Lee.