This was always one of my favorite rivalries to cover. There was never a boring game between these two schools, especially when the games were played in Lecanto. On a side note, I always have held coach Ron Allan in a very high regard. He was a great motivator, teacher, coach and mentor to the student athletes he had a chance to mold.
Thomas Gemkow
Sports Correspondent
Citrus Sophomore Katie Steelfox scored 23 points, leading the Lady ‘Canes to a 61-45 victory over the Lecanto Panthers Thursday night.
“I really thought it would be closer tonight, Lecanto played much better in the second half,” said Steelfox.
Lecanto scored first, with a lay-up by Erin Bailey in the opening minute of the game, the only time the Panthers would lead the entire night.
Citrus answered with 7 straight unanswered points to go ahead, putting them in the lead, 7-2. The streak started with a turnaround jumper by Julia Lambeck down low, and a Kristin Berger jumper. Steelfox took a pass from Alycia LePage, and hit a 3 pointer with 4:59 left in the quarter.
Lecanto played tough the rest of the quarter, and came within a point of the lead when a Nanci Thomas basket made the score 12-11 in favor of Citrus with 2:05 left.
The Lady ‘Canes took the quarter over from there. LePage hit a foul shot with 1:48 left to start the Citrus run. Berger hit a trey and Steelfox had two lay-ups off of steals at half court in the final minute to put Citrus up 20-14.
Steelfox had 10 steals on the night.
Citrus continued their run into the second quarter with back-to-back baskets by Lambeck and Berger in the first 30 seconds, extending their lead to 24-16.
Thomas hit a jumper to end the Citrus run with 6:45 left in the half, but the ‘Canes hit a spurt again. Berger hit 2 treys within a minute of each other, while Lambeck and Steelfox added lay-ins, increasing the ‘Canes lead to 34-18.
Lambeck ended the game with 14 points.
Bailey hit a baseline jumper with 4:05 left, cutting the lead to 34-18, but Citrus dominated the remainder of the half, holding Lecanto scoreless while adding 8 points to their lead, and going into the half with Lecanto in the hole 42-18.
“I don’t know what was said at half time, I said what I needed to, then I left, ” said Coach Ron Allan. “But we played better in the second half.”
Lecanto came out in the 2nd half and outscored the ‘Canes 27-17, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Citrus’ lead at the half.
Steelfox hit a jumper for Citrus early in the second half, but Lecanto went on to outscore Citrus 16-5 the remainder of the quarter.
“I was starting to sweat for a while there,” said Citrus coach Bruce Nelson. “I’ve been up by 20 points in this gym before, and come out on the losing end, so I knew anything could happen. I didn’t intend to leave the starters in for the second half, but Coach Allan but his girls in, and they started a little run on us.”
Lecanto played Citrus tough the whole fourth quarter, but to no avail lost the game 61-45.
“I take credit for the loss tonight,” said Allan. “The Citrus girls were better coached than us, and came out more pre-paired. They are a good three point shooting team, and they showed that tonight but they don’t have to rely on it much.”
“We wanted to come out in the second half, and play better for the seniors,” said Lecanto’s Thomas.
“I have to give Lecanto credit, they didn’t quit, and played tough the whole game. They came back against us, and beat us in the second half, that is tough to do.” said Nelson.
“This was a sweet way to end the regular season,” said Berger who finished with 18 points, including 4 three pointers.
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