Pasco Sports

AATL cruises to set up rematch

ANDY VILLAMARZO
Published: February 20, 2013

LAKELAND - The disappointing ending to last year's trip to the Class 2A state semifinals has rattled through the minds of those who were a part of Academy at the Lakes' 2011-12 run.

A loss to Tallahasse FAMU last February has fueled Academy at the Lakes to a 24-2 regular season and another trip to Lakeland.

This time around, however, the Wildcats wanted to make it count, and they certainly did. Academy at the Lakes stuck with its trademark press defense en route to a 65-24 victory against Hollywood Sheridan Hills Christian Tuesday afternoon at The Lakeland Center.

The Wildcats will face Tallahassee FAMU, a 53-49 winner against Boca Raton Grandview Prep in the earlier state semifinal, in tonight's Class 2A state championship.

"I figured (Hollywood Sheridan Hills Christian) was not a running squad, so we needed to run," Academy at the Lakes coach Karim Nohra said. "We went to the Sun Dome and shot last night, and it helped with the depth perception.

"Going to the Sun Dome was a wise move on our part. I didn't think we would blow them out early. As we kept pressing and running, I thought we would wear them down."

Academy at the Lakes (25-2) let it be known from the opening tip that this wasn't the Wildcats from last season's state semifinals, as forward Andrea Mauger knocked down a 3-pointer a few seconds into the contest.

The game almost never seemed in doubt, and AATL ran the floor early and often. The Wildcats opened up a 33-7 lead after a quarter of play, led by the play of center Mauger and Tatiana Manuel, who scored 17 points in the first quarter.

The second quarter featured much of the same dominant play by AATL, as the Wildcats were shooting 19-of-36 (52 percent) from the field by halftime, compared to Sheridan Hills Christian (17-13) going 5-of-32 (15 percent) from the floor.

Manuel (four blocks) and Mauger (five assists, six rebounds) combined for 43 of the Wildcats' 49 points by intermission and AATL's defense forced 17 turnovers in the first half.

The second half was played with a running clock, and Academy at the Lakes never led by fewer than 35 points in the final two quarters. Manuel and Mauger paced AATL with 27 and 20 points, respectively.

The Wildcats held Sheridan Hills Christian's top player, Caitlin McCluskey, to 14 points on six of 21 shooting. AATL guard Timechia Cohen also was a major contributor, scoring eight points, dishing out seven assists and pulling down six rebounds.

"It still feels unreal that we won," Mauger said. "I mean, it's such an opportunity. I can't even believe it compared to last year, I came out of here crying. It's just amazing, and I'm so proud of my teammates and all we've accomplished."