FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2007


81 girls in running for inaugural statewide 3-point shooting title

GAINESVILLE – Winners of competition in 81 different districts will continue their quest to be the state's first-ever girls 3-point shooting champion, when the inaugural "FHSAA 3-Point Showdown" resumes with regional competition on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The regional competitions will be held at the site of the regional tournament championship game in each respective classification and region. The winner of each regional competition will advance to state-level competition on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 & 24, at The Lakeland Center. The winners in the six school classifications will face off before the Class 6A state championship game for the "Queen of the Hill" overall state crown.

"We're extremely pleased at the level of participation in the first-ever 3-Point Showdown," said FHSAA Director of Communications Jack Watford. "We're even more pleased to hear from athletic directors who hosted district tournaments about how well the competition was received by the participants and the spectators. And our first week wasn't without a couple of controversies, which means that student-athletes and their parents take it seriously."

Nine district managers reported that no competition was held in conjunction with their district tournaments. Six other districts failed to file any report and did not return the FHSAA Office's phone calls. It is presumed that they did not conduct the competition.

"As with anything new, there are those who have resisted this competition. But it's off to a great start and as people become more familiar with it and it grows in popularity, that resistance will wane," Watford said. "I have a feeling that the student-athletes and their parents will see to that."

Competitors by region are as follows (listed in alphabetical order):

REGION 6A-1
Lauren Brewer, Oviedo
Kayln Dinkins, Edgewater (Orlando)
Sarah Marler, Orange Park
Tiffany Thomas, Flagler Palm Coast (Bunnell)

REGION 6A-2
Jasmine Hernandez, Osceola (Kissimmee)
Stacia Jo Hill, Riverview (Sarasota)
Kristi Hopper, Mitchell (New Port Richey)
Tyra Rushing, Palm Bay (Melbourne)

REGION 6A-3
Dixie Greenland, Royal Palm Beach
Brittany North, Spanish River (Boca Raton)

REGION 6A-4
Tytetania McClenney, Hialeah
**McClenney automatically advances to state finals

REGION 5A-1
Destiny Bethea, Vanguard (Ocala)
LaToya Jones, First Coast (Jacksonville)

REGION 5A-2
Andrea Smith, Lake Gibson (Lakeland)
Sthefany Thomas, Wesley Chapel
Alexis Walker, Armwood (Seffner)
Deanna Walther, Lake Howell (Winter Park)

REGION 5A-3
Latavia Dempsey, Boca Ciega (Gulfport)
Keona Dixon, Clearwater
Megan Szikas, Manatee (Bradenton)
Michelle Taylor, Plant (Tampa)

REGION 5A-4
Kaley Bedard, Satellite (Satellite Beach)
Charian Eccles, Nova (Davie)
Dilynn Russo, Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens)
Erin Zampbell, Barron Collier (Naples)

REGION 4A-1
Brittany Hinson, Baker County (Glen St. Mary)
Chelsea McMillian, East Gadsden (Havana)

REGION 4A-2
Alisha Morton, St. Cloud
Alexis Parrish, Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach)
Jordan Schulman, Gulf (New Port Richey)

REGION 4A-3
Chelsia Dangler, Lely (Naples)
Eglah Griffin, Dunbar (Fort Myers)
Heather Mirabella, Braden River (Bradenton)
Quietta Thompson, Ridge (Davenport)

REGION 4A-4
Vallerie Day, Forest Hill (West Palm Beach)
Tabitha Drake, Monsignor Pace (Miami)
Katie Schuler, Titusville
Kiara Willingham, Monarch (Coconut Creek)

REGION 3A-1
Britanny Anderson, Ribault (Jacksonville)
Jatara Hogans, Chipley
Sarabrian Jackson, Taylor County (Perry)
Leigh Paulk, Walton (DeFuniak Springs)

REGION 3A-2
Amber Franzluebbers, Union County (Lake Butler)
Rashida Mitchem, Dixie County (Cross City)
Leo Montalvo, Trinity Prep (Winter Park)
Stephanie Robinson, Umatilla

REGION 3A-3
Gabrielle Kiger, John Carroll (Fort Pierce)
Gianna Messina, Holy Names (Tampa)
Cieasha Solomon, Frostproof

REGION 3A-4
Karolina Bazua, Pope John Paul II (Boca Raton)
Janelle Capo, LaSalle (Miami)
Amanda Diaz, Archbishop Carroll (Miami)
Brittany Reese, American Heritage (Plantation)

REGION 2A-1
Nicole Dykes, Freeport
Kiki Paul, Cottondale

REGION 2A-2
Amy Ergle, Bell
Kameisha Hawkins, University Christian (Jacksonville)
Chelsea MacLean, St. Josephs (St. Augustine)
Samantha Stephenson, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee)

REGION 2A-3
Erin Knight, First Academy (Orlando)
Angel Mitchell, Fort Meade
Blair Skinner, Indian Rocks Christian (Largo)
Sarah Wickham, St. John Neumann (Naples)

REGION 2A-4
Priscilla Perez, Dade Christian (Miami)
Lucy Ransan, Highlands Christian (Pompano Beach)
Danielle Stewart, American Heritage (Delray Beach)

REGION 1A-1
Lisa Bailey, Aucilla Christian
Saule Kontautaite, Rock (Gainesville)
Kendall Oakes, Central (Allentown)
LaTesha Sims, Malone

REGION 1A-2
Amber Davis, Trinity Christian (Deltona)
Kammie Farrie, Brevard Christian (West Melbourne)
Meridith Hanshaw, Hernando Christian (Brooksville)
Regan Patterson, Pine Castle Christian (Orlando)

REGION 1A-3
Talia Bianco, Sonrise Christian (Lakeland)
Lauren Dugan, Lakeside Christian (Clearwater)
Tawny Najjar, Bradenton Christian

REGION 1A-4
Dominique Cox, Northwest Christian (Miami)
Tara Manchester, Fort Lauderdale Christian
Bassie Orzechowicz, Yeshiva (Boca Raton)
Antishia Wright, Lake Worth Christian (Boynton Beach)

About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of more than 750 middle and senior public and private high schools. More information is available at www.fhsaa.org.

Contacts:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org