By Anthony Salveggi, Times Correspondent
Saturday, March 5, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — What started as a back-and-forth affair turned into a rout, as the Guest team overwhelmed the Home team 89-70 in the 16th annual Senior Girls Classic All-Star Game on Saturday at Keswick.
The pace was fast and the passing crisp at the outset. The Home team mainly fed the ball to Indian Rocks Christian's Rachel Burnett in the low post; she scored 12 in the first half.
But the Guests went on a 17-2 run to finish the half with a 39-25 advantage. The run was highlighted by 3-pointers from Shae Humphrey (Dixie Hollins) and Jami Ring (Indian Rocks Christian), the latter providing the first double-digit lead of the game.
Both sides accounted for 13 3-point shots in the second half, as the Guests maintained their advantage. Paige Lewis (St. Pete High) and Lakewood's Kayla Roberts each sank three 3-pointers for the Guests, as did Emma Loucks (Clearwater) for the Home all-stars. Loucks scored 19 of her 24 points in the second half.
Burnett, who finished with 22 points for the Home stars, was named game MVP. Nine of the 14 coaches who submitted ballots were in agreement on Burnett. Hannah Demarest of Osceola was given the Hustle Award.
The postgame ceremony also recognized Pinellas County coaches. Necole Tunsil, whose Lakewood Spartans won the 4A state title, was named coach of the year, while Phil Farber (Indian Rocks Christian) took the Sportsmanship Award. The Turnaround Program Award went to Kelley Jones (Dixie Hollins).
Humphrey, Roberts, Demarest, Burnett, Loucks, Lewis, Ring, Cassie Foster (Keswick), Taye'lor Trotter (Lakewood) and Sami Mauder (Calvary Christian) were named to the Pinellas all-star team that will take on Hillsborough County at Eckerd College later this month. Shaquora Lane (Clearwater) and Ta'nia McCullum (St. Pete High) were named as alternates.