Our beloved Lady Panthers continue their full-week, run of games against Duval Co. Schools. After having an easy time of it in the win (First Coast) on Tuesday, Nease took on the Lady Senators from Neptune Beach Thursday in District play. Unfortunately the undersized visitors failed to offer any real challenge to the state’s 8th ranked team in the 6A division. Yes, another good night to sparingly play and rest the starters, while providing more playing opportunities for the reserve players.
Nease opened on a 5-0 run and within two minutes of game time, the score stood at 5-2. The start of what proved to be a demolition of sorts. The Lady Panthers shut out the Lady Senators during the last 5 minutes of the period, a 19-0 run to post the 24-2 emphatic lead. Can you hear me now….? The starters pretty much logged about a quarter and a half because of restricted minutes and the second half running clock.
On the night, the Lady Panthers class act was on pointe. If sharing is caring, Nease used the extra pass to convert numerous baskets. Of the 10 successful baskets in the first quarter, 8 were assisted. The tone for the night was now set. Propelled by 9 steals in the second quarter, Nease put together a 17-2 exclamation mark, with 7 of the 8 baskets coming by way of dimes. The score now stood at 41-4 and a bewildered Fletcher went into intermission looking for answers. Can you hear me now….?
With the game clearly out of reach and the Lady Panthers looking ahead to Andrew Jackson on Friday, the sixteen minutes that comprised the second half, quickly disappeared. Nease still managed to outscore Fletcher 24-3 in the second half, including a goose egg in the final period. The Lady Panthers continued to show love for one another. Making the extra pass, resulted in 10 of 11 baskets coming by way of assists. Collectively, Nease produced 25 steals and dished out 25 assists in the overmatched 65-7 win. Can You Hear Me Now…?
All starters scored, as well as the five reserves. The trio of Sydney Gomes, Camryn Robinson, and Allie Fifield combined for thirty-eight points. Syd finished her brief stints with 14 points, 7 steals and 6 assists, while Cami came away with 13 points, 5 assists and 5 steals.
Allie rounded out the double figure scoring for starters with 11 points and 4 dimes. Kendyl Ryan’s 6 points and the 4 assists by Savannah Gomes completed the significant stat lines for the ‘starting five’. Ella Harrison tallied 8 points and 4 steals to pace the reserves, while Maci Robinson produced 4 points. In addition to knocking down a trey, Tika Kondabrolu pulled down 5 rebounds and dished out 3 assists to close out the evening. Yes, I can hear you now, Loud and Clear!
Nease (18-3 overall and 3-1 District) will get right back at it again within twenty-four hours. The Lady Panthers welcomes Andrew Jackson (13-7 / Gateway Conference Champion) to the ‘Den’ for a 7:30 scheduled tip off. And now, words of inspiration for the taste buds. It was once said, ‘Good things comes to those who believe, Better things come to those who are patient, and the best things comes to those who Don’t Give Up! Earned, Not Given (11-0 in the Den). Coach Bernie Blue