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Wiregrass Defense Trips Up Gulf

BULLS 45, BUCS 43

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

Wiregrass Ranch forward Sara Wash, No. 32, dumps a pass off to teammate Julie Gould on the wing.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: December 5, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - After a so-so 10-15 inaugural season last year, the Wiregrass Ranch girls basketball team now has the full attention of all Pasco County programs after its Friday night 45-43 win over Class 4A-District 8 foe Gulf High.

The victory now puts the Bulls (6-1, 5-0) all alone atop the district standings for the first time in team history.

Gulf (5-1, 4-1) struggled to steady its offensive bearings all game long, frustrated time and time again by the Wiregrass defensive zones and presses. The Bulls forced Gulf into committing 31 turnovers throughout the night. The road loss now drops the Buccaneers into second place.

Junior guard Julie Gould led Wiregrass with 16 points and Regan Knapik added 10.

The contest seesawed through the entire first half, with both teams hitting the locker rooms tied at 28. Neither team shot particularly well Friday as each bench struggling to 32 percent night's from the field.

Gulf took back the lead early in the third quarter, but sloppy play and the turnover bug continued to plague the Bucs. After giving away four straight possessions, Wiregrass took its first second-half lead, 34-32, on Kelly McCaffrey's lay in off an assist from Gould. McCaffrey finished with nine points.

The third quarter ended 36-32 Bulls and it was the first time Gulf had faced a deficit heading into the final period of play all season. It was also a lead Wiregrass would not relinquish.

Gould took over by scoring 5 of her 16 points in the fourth, stepping in front of multiple Gulf passes and keeping Bucs sophomore point guard Nicole Adams from doing the same to the Bulls. Adams led all scorers Friday with 17 points, nine of which coming in the last eight minutes. Kianna Mills was Gulf's second leading scorer with eight.

The Bucs' last legit chance came with 36 seconds remaining and down 45-53. Wiregrass failed to inbounds a pass before getting hit with a five-second violation, but Gulf could not capitalize on the mistake. The Bucs committed their last and final turnover of the game as Gould dribbled down court before being fouled with just one tick left glowing on the scoreboard.

Gulf will get back to the court Tuesday when it hosts non-district rival River Ridge High.

Wiregrass will look to stay atop the District 4A-8 standings next Tuesday as well. The Bulls travel to Zephyrhills.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

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