Clearwater loses

The Clearwater girls basketball team lost 53-42 to Winter Haven in the Class 5A final at The Lakeland Center. The Tornadoes, who have advanced to the final four eight of the past 12 seasons -- more than any team in the state -- will have to wait at least another year for their first championship. Winter Haven got off to a quick start and led 34-14 early in the third quarter. Clearwater made a comeback, but it wasn't enough. Brittany Carannate scored a game-high 18 points, all on three-pointers.

In related news, Gulf's Jordan Schulman won the Class 4A 3-point shootout to advance to Saturday's final.

(Pictured: Clearwater's Keona Dixon. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

-- Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Comments

Imagine how bad they would have lost if they didn't have the two Largo girls.

[Vinnie]

If. If is a big word. If changes theories and beliefs. It does not change REALITY.
Reality is both those young ladies left Largo before LAST YEAR. They watched the team they left beat them in the count championship, the distric championship and become region champions.
But that was LAST YEAR.
This year they proved they were comitted to CT. As much as it hurt me to see 2 girls turn to the "dark side" and go to Clearwater (relax I know Clearwater fans have the same feeling about Largo) I had to accept the fact they they felt they were better served in that program. Whether I agreed with it or not, they made it work, and they were successful. They got their district, region, and County championships. And they got them as Tornadoes. They weren't Largo anymore.

I am proud of how these young ladies represented themselves and this community. I am schocked at how there can be some much negativety surrounding a team that exceeded all of our expectations they beat all the teams they should have beaten and lost to a nationally ranked team in the championship Lauren and Brittany left Largo on their on free will and they joined and played for Clearwater on there own. the girls have moved on on both teams why can't you haters I commend Coach Shaneyfelt and this team for representing us well I am not a clearwater fan or parent I am a fan of kids who compete do the right thing and leave it all on the court. I was a fan of coach feazell last year when they were the county representative and lost ot the eventual state runner up. in my opinion it has never been about the school but more so about the kids

[Vinnie]

Okay, now you upset me. First because you have no courage. You Run your mouth but won't put your name. That automatically ranks you as a coward.
Second, You were seeing what I meant in my earlier comment. The earlier nameless comment said CT would have lost more severely without the 2 transfers from Largo. I was explaining they made a choice to stop being Largo and start being Clearwater, and while they suffered the first year, they were successful the second. Moreover, they were not Largo anymore. I was trying to stop the comments that Clearwater's program was not good enough without a help from Largo, because it is untrue, and because the young ladies who transfered had left Largo long before and should not be classified as Largo.
Unfortunately nameless, you are too arrogant in your righteousness to see that.
As for being a "hater", yes I could be classified as such because I am so Largo that I often say I "bleed the blue and gold." If, however, you had ever read my blog comments before, then you would see the RESPECT I have had for other programs in this county. I openly dislike Clearwater, but I also openly RESPECT when they have a good program, team or coach.
Nameless, if you are about the kids as you say you are, then teach them a lesson in life. Teach them the value of honor. Teach them how much more powerful words are, coming from someone who has the courage to put their name to the words they speak and write.

Most of the best players from Polk County want to play at Winter Haven, including a player who transferred there for this season. Baron Collier's best player moved in last year from Texas. Student-athletes choose to go to schools every year as allowed as many currently do to play at Largo's strong football program. Does the original poster have a point? Do they believe they know the Largo girls basketball program is the best place for someone to choose?

get over it

[ashley]

boca cieaga is the best plus we beat clearwater

[ashley]

it was a very good game thogh