Devils Pound Miners

Johnequa Perry scored a game-high 13 points and Ja'mee Hawthorne chipped in 12 points as the Avon Park girls basketball team defeated Fort Meade 51-34 in a non-district match-up on Thursday.

Avon Park head coach Paulette Daley has been pleased with Perry's emergence since an injury to starting power forward Brearnna Tate, which has sidelined the senior the past three games.

"I think Bre going down has really forced Johnequa to step up her game," Daley said. "She's been more aggressive and is really a more confident player lately."

Tate, who was injured during last week's game against Lake Wales, has been cleared to play, but will likely sit out for the remainder of the regular season.

"We definitely want Bre ready for the tournament and I don't want to risk any further injury," Daley said. "I want her at 100 percent for the playoffs."

Daley is also hoping the win will give Avon Park a boost of confidence as they have three straight Class 4A-District 10 games that will decide the tournament seeds.

"We face Booker on Friday then Braden River and DeSoto next week," Daley said. "We haven't beaten Booker or Braden River, so those games will be key in the hopes of getting one of the high seeds.

"The girls have really been playing well lately and they know how important these next few games are. I think you'll see their best basketball down the stretch."

Avon Park is currently tied with Braden River for the No. 3 seed in the tournament.

The Devils are back on the court Tuesday when they travel to face the Pirates in a district match-up. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.