By Andy Villamarzo
Hernando Sun sports reporter
We are now at the midway point for girls basketball and about at the same halfway mark for boys hoops, as schools in the area go on break for the holidays. On the boys basketball end, Central has rushed out as one of the most impressive teams from the start and Nature Coast, Springstead are not too far behind in terms of being amongst the top clubs. Switching over to the girls end, Weeki Wachee remains the top team in Hernando County after reaching the state semifinals last year. Hernando and Hernando Christian have nothing but stepped up their games, respectively. We take a quick look at some of the storylines heading into the holidays.
Someone stop the Bears?
I mean, can anyone stop the Central boys basketball team at this point? The Bears have so far proven they’re the most improved team from a year ago and they have checked off on most of the tests they’ve been handed. The only hiccup so far has been a 57-54 loss to Springstead, who has shown they’re a club to be reckoned with this season. Outside of that, however, Central has played winning basketball and its 10-1 record up to this point is proving just that. The bigger question that now remains is can they keep up the pace?
Weeki Wachee girls avenge early loss
Maybe the Hornets heard a little bit too much of the whispering going around about their demise after losing early in the season to Nature Coast. Weeki Wachee has since avenged that loss with a 67-30 thrashing of the Sharks and now sits at 8-3 with the other two losses coming to Crystal River and Bushnell South Sumter. Both teams are solid ball clubs and the Hornets just keep continuing to do their thing heading into the winter break. If there were any question marks, Weeki Wachee has answered them.
Watch out for Springstead’s boys team
There’s one team that has given everyone their best shot and handed each Hernando County club at least one loss and that is Springstead’s boys basketball squad. The Eagles upended the county’s always tough perennial powerhouse Nature Coast and then halted Central’s 10-game winning streak by handing them its first loss. Springstead right now is dialed in under Matt McGarry and this Eagles team is a legitimate district title contender in Class 5A, District 6. The Eagles lone loss came 61-55 at the hands of Crystal River.
Hernando Christian rolling
No team is dominating the way Hernando Christian’s girls basketball team has this season. The Lions are rolling through opponents at a rate like no other. Not only is Hernando Christian currently undefeated at a mark of 11-0 on the season, the Lions have only allowed more than 40 points once this 2019-2020 campaign. If you want to mention one of the top girls basketball teams, Hernando Christian is right up there.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
