Red Devils Burn Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID - A holiday hangover - and the lack of personnel - hit the Lake Placid girls basketball team hard on Monday night.

The Avon Park Red Devils showed no mercy for the depleted Green Dragons, taking a six-point lead after the first quarter, and using superb defense to ignite their fast break, holding Lake Placid scoreless for two-plus quarters en route to a 54-8 thumping.

"We just can't seem to fight out way back when we get into a slump," said LP head coach Shondra Legree. "These girls have to believe that they can come back when they get down."

The Class 3A Green Dragons had just six players suited up and played without forward Shardesia Slotz, who is serving a suspension for an altercation against LaBelle on Dec. 20.

Avon Park's press defense stymied the Lake Placid offense from getting good shots, while forcing countless turnovers that turned into easy baskets.

"I thought we played a bit lazy in the first quarter," said AP head coach Paulette Daley. "I told them to keep focused and be aggressive. They responded well and I'm happy overall with our play."

Red Devil guard Beonca Godfrey and forward Lyvetrius Godfrey both scored 14 points in the win, while Ashley Paeplow led the Dragons with four points.

Lake Placid won't have time for this loss to linger, as they were back on the court Tuesday night against Mulberry in a Class 3A-District 10 match-up, while Avon Park will play Frostproof on Thursday.

GIRLS SOCCER: Port Charlotte 6, Lake Placid 3

PORT CHARLOTTE - Erica Resendiz scored a pair of goals, but that wasn't enough as the Lake Placid girls soccer team fell to the Port Charlotte Pirates 6-3 on Monday.

The two-plus weeks off for the holiday break showed on the field, as the Green Dragons were sluggish to start and the Pirates beat Lake Placid to the punch, utilizing great passing and speed to surge past the visiting team.

The Green Dragons return to action on Thursday, when they host Avon Park. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.