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Clearwater Girls Remain Alone Atop District

Clearwater 73, Dunedin 44

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST NEWS

J'Beria Davis of Clearwater, No. 13, tries crossing the lane to get by Dunedin's Jenae Swann, No. 40.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: December 14, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - The top two teams in Class 5A, District 9 play faced-off Thursday night in Dunedin, as the Lady Falcons hosted first-place Clearwater for the first of two regular season showdowns.

After a low-scoring, defensive first quarter, Clearwater (10-1, 5-0) proved they were not yet ready to handover the district reigns, winning handedly 73-44.

Led by the scoring of Keona Dixon's game-high 23 points and the dominant post play of center Artajah Collins, the Tornadoes turned a four-point first quarter lead into a commanding 34-15 advantage going into halftime.

Clearwater's tight, pressuring defense began to rattle Dunedin (10-2, 8-2), forcing turnovers that sparked a 10-0 second quarter run.

Dixon scored many of her points in transition after turnovers and steals – many of which caused by her. She swiped 6 steals herself.

"It was a district game, so you want to come out and set a tone and make sure you're not taking anything for granted," Clearwater Head Coach Tom Shaneyfelt said of his aggressive game plan and execution from the girls.

The Falcons' demise stemmed mostly from what Head Coach Dustin Bengston noted earlier in the week as their Achilles' Heel all season: turnovers.

Despite the careless mistakes, Dunedin received quality efforts from both LaTorya Davis and forward Jenae Swann.

Davis was one of the few Falcons able to consistently break through Clearwater's press and contributed 14 points.

Swann did her part down low, posting a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Clearwater's Collins was clearly the top force in the post though. She, too, reached double-double status with 12 points and 15 rebounds, but her defense was equally impressive blocking shots and forcing wild attempts.

"She was strong inside tonight," Shaneyfelt said of his center. "She really finished things strong."

Overall, Clearwater won the rebounding battle 41-35.

Also playing a lead role in the big victory was junior guard-forward J'Beria Davis. She was able to reach the free throw line five times as she slashed the lane frequently for most of her 13 points. Davis pulled down 9 boards as well.

Four Tornadoes hit double-digits in scoring. Junior center Rachel Brown added 11.
Coach Shaneyfelt mentioned afterwards that much of the scoring was predicated upon the play of point guard Veronica Ryan, whose efforts, he says, can be overlooked at times.

Ryan led all players with 9 assists and put together an all-around solid stat-line with 5 points and 6 rebounds.

"She really gets us going," the head coach said. "She's a consummate point guard."

"She's the one that's always looking to get everyone else involved."

While the loss drops Dunedin two games behind Clearwater in the District 5A-9 standings, Coach Bengston – again from an earlier conversation – noted that, while big, this game does not make-or-break the season.

Late last month, the Falcons' were crushed by the other top team in districts, Largo, by a 20-point margin. The two met again this past Tuesday and Dunedin avenged the defeat with a 56-49 victory.

They go head-to-head with Clearwater again on Jan. 10 for the rematch.

"We'll be seeing them again once or twice, I'm sure," Shaneyfelt said.

Next scheduled games:

Dunedin will hit the court again Monday night hoping to rebound from their loss. They welcome in quality out-of-district opponent Lakewood High School, from St. Petersburg.

Clearwater is also going out of District 5A-9, playing a weekend game this Saturday at , Boca Ciega, in Gulfport.

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