TAMPA — Guards Siobhan Lynch and Cristina Snyder each hit four 3-pointers to lift host Academy of the Holy Names to a 52-49 win over previously unbeaten Clearwater in Friday’s semifinals of the Jaguar Holiday tournament.
Academy of the Holy Names goes for its second tournament title in three years when it hosts Wiregrass Ranch tonight at 7 p.m. The Bulls defeated Plant, which has lost back-to-back Jaguar Holiday finals, 50-43 in Friday’s other semifinal.
“We’re very guard-oriented, so we give them the green light all the time,” Holy Names coach Chris Severini said.
Lynch scored 20, Snyder added 13 points and Ashley McWilliams had 11 to help the Jaguars (11-5) avenge a four-point loss to Clearwater earlier this season. The Tornadoes (17-1) erased deficits of 11 and nine points to twice pull within three points in the waning minutes, but their comeback bid came up short.
“We’ve been talking about (a rematch with Clearwater) for quite some time,” Severini said. “We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game to the end.”
For Clearwater coach Paul Lang, he vowed that his team would “come out fighting” in tonight’s consolation game against Plant.
“The streak’s over, but the mark of a good team is to never lose two in a row,” he said.
The Tornadoes had three scorers in double figures: Madison Rubino, 18 points; Alexandria Alford, 16; and Deja Blunt, 12.
Wiregrass Ranch (18-1) and Plant (10-9) were tied at 35 before the Bulls pulled away with an 11-4 run that took up most of the fourth quarter. Logan Seoane led Wiregrass Ranch with 17 points with all but five coming in the second half.
“We moved her out on the wing,” Bulls coach John Gant said of the senior forward. “Even though she’s a post player she’s got a real nice shot.”
Amanda Melosky added 15 for Wiregrass Ranch while Plant’s Madelyn Carey scored a game-high 21.