Palmetto Sweeps Past Sebring Soccer Again

The Sebring boys soccer team didn't fair well when facing Palmetto for the second time in four days on Monday night, as the Blue Streaks fell 6-0 to the Tigers in a Class 4A-District 10 match at Firemen's Field.

Poor ball handling and defensive lapses led to easy goals for Palmetto, which stands atop the district.

"Palmetto is a tough team and it is never easy to play the same team so close in the schedule," said SHS head coach Tim Boulay. "With the schedule the way it is, you don't have time to adjust your strategy at all.

"You may have on practice in between games, so you just try and play your best."

Sebring faced Okeechobee on Tuesday night (see Thursday's Highlands Today for results). The Streaks are then off for the Thanksgiving holiday and play their next game Dec. 2 at home against district foe Booker. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER: Palmetto 2, Sebring 0

The Sebring girls soccer team's offensive woes continued on Monday, as the Streaks were shutout for the second straight time by Palmetto 2-0 in a Class 4A-District 10 match at Firemen's Field.

Sebring managed just eight shots on goal and again found themselves with one of their best offensive players - Amanda Grimaldo - in goal.

"We just couldn't get anything going offensively," said Sebring head coach Steve Ashley. "Our defense played really well, but we just couldn't get any of our shots to go in the net."

Palmetto has outscored Sebring 5-0 in their two matches this season, but Ashley feels his team will continue to improve.

"We don't face Braden River or Palmetto until the end of the season," Ashley said. "I promise that we'll be a much better team the second time around."

Sebring's next game is Monday at 7:30 p.m. when they host cross-county rival Lake Placid.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Okeechobee 47, Avon Park 46

OKEECHOBEE - Beonca Godfrey drove the lane with three seconds left, but a questionable non-call left the Avon Park girls basketball team with a 47-46 loss to Okeechobee on Monday.

The defeat to the Brahmans was the Devils' first of the season and dropped their record to 3-1.

AP head coach Paulette Daley hopes this loss proves to be a learning experience for her team.

"The girls slacked on defense tonight, which is something we're known for," Daley said. "We just made too many mistakes and took too many quick shots instead of settling down and playing our game.

"I also think the crowd and some questionable fouls got into their head."

Godfrey and Jam'ee Hawthorne led the way with 13 points each for the Red Devils.

Avon Park is back on the court on Dec. 1 when they host Fort Meade at 7:30 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER: Braden River 8, Avon Park 0

BRADENTON - Avon Park was unable to generate many scoring chances, as Braden River pitched a shutout to hand the Red Devils an 8-0 loss in a Class 4A-District 10 game on Monday.

"We just didn't have the intensity or consistency that I'm looking for from this team," said AP head coach Craig Morris. "The team is making strides, but this was a game that I saw them take a few steps back.

"Right now, it's all about building confidence."

Avon Park is back on the field Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. when they travel to face district foe Hardee.

GIRLS SOCCER: Braden River 8, Avon Park 0

BRADENTON - Avon Park's rebuilding process continued Monday night, as the Red Devils fought hard, but fell to host Braden River 8-0 in a Class 4A-District 10 match.

Avon Park is back on the field Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. when they travel to face district foe Hardee.