Red Devils punish Bulldogs

After a 26-point loss to McKeel Academy to open the regular season, the Avon Park girls basketball team needed a shot of confidence.

The Red Devils got exactly that in Tuesday night's Class 3A-District 9 game, as Johnequa Perry scored a game-high 17 points and Favinnette Cotte added 11 to lead Avon Park to a 58-10 drubbing of Frostproof.

The win improved the Red Devils to 1-1, while the loss dropped the Bulldogs to 0-2.

"This is a much-needed win for us," said Avon Park coach Paulette Daley. "We didn't play well against McKeel Academy last week, but we've been able to practice and got some things worked out.

"We were able to work on our offensive sets and some of our defensive alignments, but we still have a lot of work to do in the gym before we play our next game."

Avon Park came out aggressive to start the contest and used its size advantage and athleticism to force the Bulldogs into numerous turnovers.

The Red Devils capitalized by scoring easy baskets to jump out to a 12-0 lead three minutes into the first quarter.

"We came out with good energy, didn't turn the ball over and showed good patience on offense," Daley said. "We committed so many turnovers against McKeel because the girls were trying to create something and force the action.

"Against Frostproof, we ran our plays and executed our offense better, but we still have a long ways to go to be consistent."

Avon Park's Lotiea Shannon scored five of her 10 points and Brekayla English added four as the Red Devils raced out to a 19-0 lead over the outmanned Bulldogs.

Frostproof's Vernesha Blocker got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with a jumper from the right wing to trim their deficit to 21-2 heading into the second quarter.

Avon Park used its suffocating defense to force Frostproof, which committed 31 turnovers on the night, into numerous mistakes which were converted into easy buckets.

Perry, who finished with 13 rebounds and four blocks, dominated the paint and poured in seven of her 17 points as the Red Devils stormed out to a 42-4 lead at the half.

"We got the lead and I had us slow the pace down in the second quarter so we could run our offensive sets," said the AP coach. "We did a good job of looking for the open player and trying to get them the ball."

Avon Park came out strong in the third period and increased its lead against Frostproof, which was ice cold from the floor.

The Red Devils continued to work on different offensive sets, and even though a running clock was used, took a 51-7 lead into the final eight minutes.

Daley substituted liberally in the final stanza as Avon Park cruised to the easy district victory.

"We had to get the girls to quit playing street ball," Daley said. "We did a much better job of that against Frostproof and every win is important because this is a new district we're in.

"We don't know how good the other teams are and every win helps."

Avon Park is off until Tuesday when the Red Devils travel to Sebring to take on the Blue Streaks in a non-district game.