Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007

Lakewood Ranch, Bayshore girls bow out

VENICE - Following her team's 40-24 loss and elimination from the Class 5A-District 12 playoffs, Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball coach Tina Hadley talked about small victories the Mustangs achieved throughout the season

She spoke first of her team's win against Southeast, which broke the Noles' 10-year winning streak against Manatee County teams.

And even in a loss, she spotted a individual victory Monday night when Brittany Barger entered the game late and knocked down a 3-pointer on her first attempt.

But the Mustangs couldn't muster enough of those moments this season or in the district tournament opener as Lakewood Ranch saw its season come to an end with a defeat against host Venice.

"We had fun this year," said Hadley. "It was a learning process for everybody. We saw perfection at times, and we have no reason to hang our heads."

Lakewood Ranch did not score a basket until Breanna Lindsey made a layup 12:19 into the game.

After Lindsey's field goal, Becca Seay hit a layup one minute later, but that was the whole of the Lakewood Ranch offense in the first 16 minutes as the Mustangs fell behind 18-4.

Venice dominated the boards and consistently trapped the Mustangs in the corners to force turnovers. But the Indians were far from world beaters, making only one field goal in the first eight minutes and four in the first half. Both teams struggled to score inside five feet all night.

In that first half, the Mustangs also missed all seven of their shots from the free-throw line, with Lindsey misfiring six of those. Lakewood Ranch hit less than 20 percent of its free throws (4-21) all night.

The Mustangs played appreciably better in the final 16 minutes. When Jenny Tobar put back a missed free throw for her first field goal of the game, Lakewood Ranch eclipsed its first half total of points only two minutes into the third quarter and came with 10 at 20-10.

But Venice also improved its overall performance in the second half, converting turnovers for easy baskets on the other end.

Natalie Gaudreau finished with a game high 18 points for the Indians while Julia Samus paced the Mustangs with six and Becca Seay and Lindsey both adding five points each.

Lakewood Ranch finished its first year under Hadley at 10-15, while the Indians improved to 14-9.

LAKEWOOD RANCH (24) - Brisha Walker 0 1-4 1, Taylor Broadbridge 0 0-0 0, Katie Morris 0 0-0 0, Becca Seay 0 0-0 0, Brittany Barger 1 0-0 3, Jenny Tobar 1 2-6 4, Breanna Lindsey 2 1-10 5, Megan Ketchum 0 0-1 1, Julia Samus 3 0-0 6. Totals: 9 4-21 24.

VENICE (40) - Natalie Gaudreau 5 7-12 18, Annie Boone 0 0-0 0, Jamie Lane 1 2-4 4, Lauren Ramey 2 1-2 5, Lindsay Reigstecker 2 2-2 7, Kaylee Ream 1 0-0 2, Diana Mesherle 1 0-0 2, Kim Pinkerton 0 0-1 0, Jen Thoennissen 1 0-0 2, Kristen Walchle 0 0-0 0, Chloe West 0 0-0 0, Megan Taylor 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 12-21 40.

Lakewood Ranch 0 4 13 11 - 24

Venice 7 11 14 8 - 40

3-pointers: Lakewood Ranch 2 (Seay, Barger), Venice 2 (Gaudreau, Riegstacker); Team fouls: Lakewood Ranch 14, Venice 19. Records: Lakewood Ranch 10-15, Venice 14-9.