ST. PETERSBURG — Shaw Summer never played on a school team until last year.
Her middle school didn’t have a girls basketball program, so she played AAU. When she arrived at St. Petersburg as a freshman, everything changed.
“It was an adjustment,” Summer said. “But it was fun to represent a school. The biggest adjustment was having set plays and working with new coaches.”
She adapted fast.
Summer averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds, leading the Green Devils in both categories. St. Petersburg reached the region semifinals.
Now a sophomore, she’s expected to do even more.
“She’s long, athletic and she can shoot,” first-year coach Chris Hanlon said.
Summer stands out because she can score from anywhere. She finishes at the rim. She knocks down jumpers. She dominates the glass on both ends.
Her competitiveness comes from years of backyard battles with her twin brother, Dawson, who plays golf at St. Petersburg. He also serves as the statistician for the girls basketball team.
“We played one-on-one all the time,” Summer said. “Him and the neighbors. That’s where I learned to compete.”
She still golfs with Dawson occasionally. She used to play volleyball too. But basketball has her full attention now.
The Green Devils lost only one senior from last season. With nearly everyone back, St. Petersburg has high expectations. Summer wants to lead the way.
She’s already the team’s best player. This year, she wants to be its voice.
“Even with an experienced lineup, I feel like I can step up more as a leader,” Summer said.
Hanlon has seen it in practice. Summer pushes her teammates. She demands effort. She holds herself to the same standard.
The combination of skill and drive makes her one of the top players in Pinellas County. College coaches are watching.
But Summer isn’t focused on that yet. She wants to help St. Petersburg get past the region semifinals this time. She wants a deeper playoff run.
Last year proved she belonged. This year, she plans to prove she’s one of the best.
The Green Devils opened their season last week. Summer was ready.
Quick hits
St. Petersburg girls finish second at state
The Green Devils came close again.
St. Petersburg High finished second in the Class 3A state swimming championships Nov. 14 in Ocala, scoring 305 points to finish 73 behind winner Ponte Vedra.
The Hansen sisters carried the team. Brinkleigh Hansen won the 500-yard freestyle in 4:46.55 and took second in the 200 free in 1:46.27. Sister Karrington Hansen placed second in both the 100 free (50.36) and 200 individual medley (2:02.32).
Alex Clark grabbed second in the 50 free (23.85) and third in the 100 free (51.96).
The Green Devils won both freestyle relays. Brinkleigh Hansen, Karrington Hansen, Clark and Elisabeth Santana took the 200 free relay in 1:35.48. The same quartet, with Zoie Fjare replacing Santana, won the 400 free relay in 3:34.73.
St. Petersburg also placed third in the 200 medley relay. Aubrey Gore, Santana, Skyler Ross and Fjare finished in 1:48.56.
The runner-up finish marked another strong showing for a program that has finished in the top four at state for four consecutive years.
Northeast’s Soto records quadruple-double
Northeast senior Jaiel Soto may have recorded the school’s first quadruple-double in the Vikings’ victory over Pinellas Park. Soto finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 11 steals in the win. The senior guard averaged 13.5 points per game last season, but his all-around performance against the Patriots in this year’s season opener showcased his complete skill set on both ends of the court.
Jackwin earns first team All-SoCon honors
Sydney Jackwin, a former Keswick Christian standout, earned first team All-Southern Conference honors for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The St. Petersburg senior outside hitter led the Mocs with 368 kills (3.44 per set) and 420 points (3.93 per set) while adding a team-high 38 service aces. Jackwin also contributed 299 digs and recorded 15 double-doubles during the season, including nine consecutive matches with double-doubles from Sept. 27 to Oct. 23.