Recap: Nature Coast Tech Sharks vs. Weeki Wachee Hornets
It's hard to turn regular season success into postseason wins, a fact the Nature Coast Tech Sharks can now relate to. They fell 33-22 to the Hornets on Friday. Nature Coast Tech's defeat signaled the end of their four-game winning streak.
Nature Coast Tech's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Jaida Grier, who scored six points along with seven rebounds and four steals, and Isabella Castillo O who scored 13 points. Grier has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last three times she's played.
Nature Coast Tech was without their leading scorer, Quintara Norwood, in Friday's match. With Norwood sitting this one out, Aubrie Carlson got some extra time on the court (20 vs. her season average of 7.81).
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Nature Coast Tech struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only an offensive rebound. They were crushed by their opponents in that department as Weeki Wachee pulled down 18 offensive rebounds.
Weeki Wachee was led to victory by Marlee Schumacher and Joelys Rodriguez. Schumacher almost dropped a double-double on nine points and 13 rebounds, while Rodriguez scored ten points along with seven steals and six rebounds. Rodriguez is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last 11 games she's played. Reese Halter was another key contributor, scoring four points along with 13 rebounds and two steals.
Nature Coast Tech's loss dropped their record down to 11-11. As for Weeki Wachee, they are on a roll lately: they've won eight of their last nine games, which provided a nice bump to their 19-8 record this season.
Nature Coast Tech does not have any more games scheduled as of now. Weeki Wachee is on the road again on Wednesday and plays Academy of the Holy Names at 7:00 p.m. on February 14th. Hopefully Academy of the Holy Names focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 25 on Friday.
