Boca Ciega's Tamara Taylor Shines on a Bigger Stage

A lot of local basketball fans know all about Boca Ciega High School's Tamara Taylor. 

The former four-year starter for the Pirates, Taylor was a force few teams could stop. A lot more good players found out the hard way Friday night just how good Taylor is.

Playing in the 12th annual Pinellas-Hillsborough High School Basketball All Star Game at Eckerd College Friday, Taylor put on a show that not just wowed the near-capacity crowd, but saved the night for Pinellas County.

Taylor keyed a first half rally for Pinellas, which trailed by double-digits, and helped set a series record as Pinellas won in double-overtime 109-103.

It was the first time in the series history that any game had gone into overtime, much less double-overtime.

Midway through the second half Taylor was a virtual one-woman team. She scored eight points in a span of 1:32, capped by a three-point play to pull Pinellas within 57-56 with 12:25 left.

"The two missed free throws (to end the first overtime) was blessed," Taylor said.

Taylor had a game-high 36 points for the ladies in what proved to be her final high school game. The next time Taylor will play on a basketball court for local fans will be for the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Pinellas looked like it was going to lose when Pinellas was called for a foul under the basket with 0.4 seconds left in the first overtime. But Hillsborough missed both free throws which enabled Pinellas to have a second lift and a chance to win.

"Those missed free throws were big," Taylor said. "But we won, that's all that matters."

Taylor admitted she was part of the reason Pinellas started the game slowly.

"We came out a little sluggish but we came back and took it," Taylor said. "I needed to pick up my game but winning is what it all means. Being able to play with these players and in front of these fans is worth it."

The boys game, which featured Boca Ciega's Joshua McCree, was not as fortunate as the girls as the boys lost 132-108.