Back-to-back Tampa Catholic champs prepping for a third

Posted Oct 25, 2011 by Katherine Smith

Updated Oct 25, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Last season, Tampa Catholic’s girls basketball team had to replace its top two leading scorers from the school’s first state championship squad. They more than coped and managed to win another state championship.

This season, the Crusaders find themselves in familiar position – defending state champions having to replace their leading scorer. The team opened the season with its first official practice Monday and returns four starters from last year’s Class 3A state championship team.

“We lost just one starter,’’ Crusaders coach Nancy Kroll said. “But it’s a big loss.’’

Gone is point guard Meghan Keough (UCF), the Crusaders leading scorer who averaged 21.2 points per game. But three of the four returning scorers averaged double digits.

Senior guard Micah Kroll (13.2 ppg), senior forward Kai Jones (12.2 ppg) and junior guard Britany Betts (10.2) ppg are back and coming off a successful offseason. Danielle Battle, the fourth starter, came on strong for the Crusaders last season, especially during their second-consecutive title run. And Grace Dziagwa returns after a layoff last season. She was a member of the 2010 state championship team.

Tampa Catholic will kickoff the season at the Tip Tournament at Sarasota Riverview Nov. 8-9 and then open the regular season against Indian Rocks Christian on Nov. 15.

“The targets on our back always,’’ Kroll said. “I think we have a very good nucleus of players. Offensively, I think we’ll be able to put the ball in the basket and we’ll have to step up our defense.’’

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