Pinellas Sports
HURRICANES 60 BOBCATS 43
By Eric Horchy | Suncoast News
Published: January 11, 2013
PALM HARBOR - Behind an active offense and plenty of accurate shooting, Palm Harbor University avenged an early-season loss to North Port in a big way Friday night.Published: January 11, 2013
The Hurricanes hit six 3-pointers – five in the first half – and never trailed after junior Kaylin Ingram hit one from the top of the key to start the game.
The 60-43 final allowed PHU to atone for its 12-point loss at North Port on Dec. 7, as well as increase its season-high winning streak to five.
"I think we have more of a sense of team camaraderie," Ingram said of the Hurricanes’ better play of late. "It wasn’t really a revenge thing but we really wanted to show how we can really play."
Friday’s top all-around performance came from Ingram’s sister, sophomore forward Megan Ingram. The younger sibling scored a team-high 18 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out six assists and blocked six shots.
Along with their outside sharpshooting, PHU players found plenty of success slashing through the lane or along the baseline to receive entry passes for layups.
"I feel like once you start attacking the middle, the defense collapses," Megan Ingram said. "We’ve been practicing that to try and draw the defense in and then dish out."
Chardonay Aldrich (12 points) and Michaela Leonard (10 points) joined Megan Ingram as the three Hurricanes scoring in double figures. Kaylin Ingram contributed eight points, three rebounds and four assists and point guard Jamie Appelt scored five and assisted on six other buckets.
Although North Port never got within single digits after PHU went on a 13-0 second-quarter run, Bobcats senior Darmesha Washington’s performance in the paint was unmatched.
Washington scored 17 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, which included a dominating, 12-board effort on the offensive glass.
North Port out-rebounded PHU 33-22 overall and 20-7 on the offensive end.
Jelena Dosen added nine points for the Bobcats and Le’Kyra Smith scored eight, but a poor shooting night slowly doomed North Port throughout.
PHU’s lead expanded to as many as 25 points late in the third quarter.
Most importantly for the Hurricanes (17-6) was that they improved their Class 8A District 8 record to 2-3.
North Port (13-6) entered undefeated in league play, but fell to 4-1.
"We’ve put ourselves in a good position now district-wise after starting out 0-3 and then coming back and winning two in a row," said PHU coach Darian Dublin. "There are a few things we still need to work on, but overall I think we’re playing some of our best basketball right about now."
North Port (4-1) still controls the district, followed by Sarasota Riverview (2-2), PHU (2-3) and East Lake (1-3). Riverview and East Lake also played Friday night.
The Hurricanes wrap up district play Thursday with a trip to Riverview.
North Port - 13 – 8 – 14 – 8 --- 43
Palm Harbor - 16 – 19 – 17 – 8 --- 60