Meertens closes in on record
Team chemistry and a standout senior has Winter Springs playing its best basketball in more than a decade.
The Bears improved to 17-2 overall on Tuesday with a 47-21win over Lake Mary to remain unbeaten in Class 9A, District 2. The defending district champs, who returned just two starters from a team that went 19-10 and lost in the opening round of region play a season ago, have improved in each of the past three years.
“The biggest difference this year is this group loves playing with each and for each other,” Winter Springs coach
said. The key factor has been the around play of four-year starter
who went into a Thursday night game needing just 42 more points to surpass the all-time school career record of 1,682 set by 2001 graduate
The versatile guard is one of 19 instate players named as a McDonald’s All-American Games nominee. She joined Lake Highland Prep’s
and Bishop Moore’s among area players.
“She’s a coach on the floor who leads by example,” Saunders said. “She’s gotten so much more confident in herself since last year, which has allowed her to be more comfortable being vocal on the floor.”
Meertens, who will play collegately at Stetson, said before the start of the season that the team’s recent success has inspired high expectations within the program. She just hopes those carry into the postseason.
“I’m just looking forward to making a run for it,” Meertens said of advancing in the playoffs. “It’s my last year and I want to leave with a big bang.” all- and
Leesburg has taken no mercy on the competition this season en route to a 15-3 overall mark and an unbeaten run through Class 6A, District 13.
On Tuesday the Yellow Jackets held South Lake scoreless in the first and fourth quarters in a 101-5 triumph. The onslaught came just a month after hammering the Eagles to the tune of 91-13. Leesburg has now scored at least 60 points in a game 11 times this season, including a 79-15 win over Eustis.
leads Leesburg with 16.6 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.2 steals per game. (15.2) and 12) are also averaging double-digit points.
Oviedo sharpshooter entered Thursday’s game against Lake Brantley needing 18 points to reach 1,000 for her career. The junior was averaging 16.5 points while shooting 51 percent from the field and a team-high 68 percent from the foul line for the 13-4 Lions.
Dr. Phillips senior set a new career and single-game scoring record at the Florida Prospects Christmas Tournament last month. She scored 41 points in the Panthers’ Gold Division final loss to Apopka, surpassing the 36 points posted by
in 1989. First Academy junior
scored a career-high 40 last month in a 73-61 win over Melbourne Central Catholic. Teammate
also a junior, pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds in a 56-45 loss to Kissimmee’s City of Life on Dec. 29. The
Orlando University hosts the 10th-annual Think Pink showcase takes this weekend. UHS and Colonial play at 6:30 p.m. tonight followed by West Orange and St. Cloud at 7 p.m. Seven games will be played Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. with Poinciana vs. Ocoee.
Area No. 1 Lake Highland Prep faces Bishop Moore at the Kalyn High Master’s Classic on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Records as of games played through Wednesday. Previous ranking in parenthesis. 1. Lake Highland Prep (13-4) 2. (3) Ocoee (13-5) 3. (5) West Orange (14-4) 4. (6) Jones (13-4) 5. (NR) Winter Springs (17-2) 6. (NR) Leesburg (15-3)