Tampa Catholic girls under the sun

Posted Feb 23, 2010 by Katherine Smith

Updated Feb 23, 2010 at 06:10 PM

Tampa Catholic’s girls basketball team served as the opening act to the USF women’s team on Tuesday.

Prior to the Bulls 7 p.m. tipoff against Providence, the Crusaders went through their final drills and preparations for Wednesday’s 3A state semifinal game against Tallahassee Rickards at USF’s Sun Dome. It’s the second-consecutive year Tampa Catholic has used the Sun Dome to prepare for the state final four. USF women’s coach Jose Fernandez invited the Crusaders back after they won their regional final game against Bradenton Southeast last Saturday.

Tampa Catholic coach Nancy Kroll wanted her players to get used to an arena setting, one similar to the Lakeland Center, the site of the state final four.

The Cruaders went through their usual warmups and drills, but also worked specifically on plays against their opponent Rickards, based on scouting reports. Kroll even simulated the pregame introductions.

Jefferson’s girls basketball team, which plays in Friday’s 4A state semifinals, tried to fit in a practice later this week in the Sun Dome, but there was a scheduling conflict with an upcoming science fair.