StateShotz

By JOE SMITH
Published February 28, 2007

Calvary Christian and Lakewood are in the state final four, which begins today in Lakeland. Times staff writer Joe Smith shares the inside scoop on the semis.

McDonald's Maniac

Lakewood junior forward Michael Morrison loves a good bargain. Case in point: his Quarter Pounder addiction. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound star said he often ate four a day this season.

"When they took away the (2 for $2 special), Mike went crazy," Lakewood guard Reggie Reed said. "He loves Mickey D's."

Almost Famous

Lakewood's opponent is Lee, a Jacksonville school named after former general Robert E. Lee. Some famous alumni? Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and former Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler and Edgar Bennett. Lynyrd Skynyrd was actually named in mocking tribute to an old Lee gym teacher, Leonard Skinner.

Foreign affair

When Calvary Christian and The Rock play in today's Class A semifinals, someone should send a translator. Both rosters are filled with international players; The Rock boasts Lithuanians Vytas Sulskis and Bartas Visinskis and 6-10, 265-pound forward Anton Cruz from Ukraine.

Calvary Christian senior Kevin Cantinol (West Indies) speaks four languages; fellow starters Brian Horrach and Marcos Quinones often give each other Spanish pep talks at the free-throw line.

"Other teams get mad," Horrach said. "They think we're making fun of them."

Baby Shaq

Lee's top player is junior guard Shaquille Johnson, a 6-3 slasher who averages 20 points.

"He's a little thinner than the real Shaq," Lee coach Stephen Jenkins said. "But (Johnson) can make his free throws."

He isn't kidding. Little Shaq averages 80 percent.

[Last modified February 28, 2007, 08:52:30]