LEESBURG, 42-38 CLASS AAA GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL, MARCH 1977

ROCKLEDGE GIRLS FEEL JACKETS' DEFENSIVE FURY

By Mel Barlow

Sports Editor

Daily Commercial

March 1977

WINTER PARK -  Leesburg's chances of two state champions took a giant step forward Thursday night when the Girl Jackets defeated Rockledge in the AAA semi-finals at Winter Park High, 42-38.

Coach Bill Taylor's kids displayed an outstanding defensive game, holding the normally high scoring Raiders to only 15 first half points.

"Defense was the big key," said Taylor. "They played tough all the way and  I think they are beginning to believe they can win the state title. Their confidence increased a lot tonight since they were playing a team that beat them in last year's playoff."

Leesburg High School Women's Louise Longer Length Tank

Sandra Seward paced the Jacket offensive attack with 18 points, and along with Tammy Freitag controlled the boards throughout the contest.

"I knew I could do it," said a happy Seward."

"But I got a little worried when we only had a four point lead in  the fourth quarter. The biggest thrill for me was when I made a basket late, got fouled and scored the foul shot."

Taylor had nothing but praise for the senior. "Sandra has come a long way since the beginning of the season. She didn't play any last year but dedicated herself when she tried out for the team, I don't know where we'd be without her"

The Jackets roared to a 18-10 first half advantage on Freitag and Seward's work under the basket and the deliberate brand of play when Leesburg had the ball. Taylor instructed his squad to go into a four corner set up late in the second period and Rockledge was completely caught off guard.

Leesburg High School Embroidered Unisex Back to Basic Pants

"I don't think they were expecting us to slow things down at that point," Taylor said. "We had the lead and I wanted to use as much of the clock as we could." Kelly McLeod, the Jackets' fine point guard, fouled out midway of the final period. With Annette Miller now in the lineup, the Raiders went into a full court press. But with Miller's superb ball handling and the help from Tammy Freitag and Linda Miller, Leesburg was able to hold the lead the rest of the way even though Rockledge did come up with a couple of key turnovers.

"I thought the girls showed a lot of poise when they started to press," Taylor said. "We could have easily turned the ball over more with Kelly out of the lineup."

The Raiders were down by 13 at the end of the third stanza. But coach Virgil Terry's squad wouldn't roll over and play dead.

The tempo of the contest picked up drastically down the stretch even though the Jackets tried to slow things down again, going into the four corner offense for a brief period.

With less than two minutes remaining, the Raiders narrowed the Leesburg lead to only three points. But Seward's key basket and foul shot along with Tammy Freitag's two-pointer and Bonnie Miller free throw kept the Yellow Jackets in front.

Cheryl Carter paced the losers with 10 points.

Leesburg will face the winner of tonight's Hallandale-Gulf Breeze contest. That takes place Saturday night at 7.

"We made an effort to have the game switched to an earlier starting time," said LHS principal Buford Robinson. "But it was simply too late"

Score by quarters

Leesburg 7-11-10-14--42

Rockledge 4-6-5-23--38

Leesburg - McLeod 1-0-2; B. Miller 3-1-7; Seward 8-2-18; Freitag 3-2-8; L. Miller 2-3-7; Totals: 17-8-42

Rockledge - Armstrong 4-0-8; Carter 5-0-10; Larista 0-1-1; Lipsey 4-0-8; Lee 4-1-9; Bartusek 1-0-2; Totals 18-2--38

Fouls: Leesburg 13; Rockledge 16

Fouled out; McLeod, Leesburg

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowladyjacketsbasketball.com

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.