Junior varsity call-up sinks late 3 to give Bayshore third straight Smoothie King title
Haley Sauve is normally a junior varsity player for Bayshore. With the junior varsity team off during winter break, head coach Jamaal Sanders called Sauve up to the varsity for the Bradenton Christian Smoothie King Classic. In the final minute, she gave the Bruins their third straight tournament championship with a game-winner to beat Bradenton Christian, 33-31.
BCS loaded up in the paint against Bayshore's post tandem of Jojo Muldoon and Alexus Norman, which let Sauve get looks on the perimeter. Sanders brings her to the varsity squad when possible because of her shooting ability. At his assistant coach's insistence, Sanders gave Sauve an opportunity.
With 20 seconds left, Sauve sunk a 3-pointer to give the Bruins (8-8, 3-3 5A-11) their final 33-31 margin.
"They were stacking the paint on us. We had a little space on the perimeter," Sanders said. "She shoots so well I pulled her up for the tournament."
After the fourth quarter began with a 19-19 tie, the final frame was a comparative eruption. Bailey Sikkema -- an all-tournament selection -- scored 10 of BCS' 12 points in the fourth quarter and Bradenton Christian (9-3, 2-1 Class 2A-9) led for most of the final frame.
In the defensive struggle, Sikkema led all scorers with 16 points. Jayla Dirden led Bayshore with 11. No other players cracked double figures.
The Panthers still keyed on Muldoon -- an all-tournament choice -- and the drives from tournament MVP Anna Albers. The 3-point line opened up and gave Sauve a chance for her biggest varsity moment.
She had been 1 for 4 to that point, but wasn't afraid to keep firing. She finished the day with six points and the biggest 3 of her career.
"Our assistant coach the whole time was telling me, 'Put her in, man. Put her in,'" Sanders said. "She hit a clutch shot."
CARDINAL MOONEY 48, LECANTO SEVEN RIVERS CHRISTIAN 23 -- The Cougars salvaged their trip to the Smoothie King Classic with a 48-23 win against Seven Rivers Christian in the seventh-place game.
Jacqueline Kulle, a bright spot for Mooney (5-10, 1-7 Class 4A-District 9) during its otherwise disappointing tournament, delivered her best game yet with 22 points. The junior was named to the all-tournament team with 50 total points. Junior Maloni Lewis earned all-tournament honors for the Warriors (5-9, 1-1 Class 2A-District 4) despite scoring only two points against Cardinal Mooney.
BRANDON 73, SARASOTA CHRISTIAN 53 -- After blowing a 10-point lead Tuesday to Bayshore, the Eagles regrouped to take third place with a 73-53 win against the Blazers. Freshman wing forward Jalyn Spurlin was named to the all-tournament team for Brandon and senior McKenzie Lantz was Sarasota Christian's representative on the team.
ST. PETE SHORECREST PREP 40, ENGLEWOOD LEMON BAY 35 -- Shorecrest Prep took fifth place at the Smoothie King with a 40-35 win in a defensive struggle against Lemon Bay. Chargers senior Jasmyn McCalla and Manta Rays senior Shannen Smith were both named to the all-tournament team.
This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Junior varsity call-up sinks late 3 to give Bayshore third straight Smoothie King title ."