Silverhawks' zone surrounds Spartans

Lakewood senior guard Anthony Dorsey felt surrounded.

By JOE SMITH
Published March 3, 2007

LAKELAND - Lakewood senior guard Anthony Dorsey felt surrounded.

The 6-foot-3 slasher, used to penetrating at ease, couldn't crack Lake Howell's scrappy 1-3-1 zone.

The Silverhawks often extended the defense to midcourt, where they trapped ballhandlers Dorsey nine points and Ed Nixon (10), who said he "never got in a rhythm."

"They were so long and quick, you couldn't get passes inside," Dorsey said. "And when you drove past one guy, they were so good on help defense, you were trapped."

As a result, Lakewood had nearly as many turnovers (17) as field goals (18).

The Spartans were held under 50 points for only the fourth time in 32 games. Three of those were losses.

HONORS: Nixon was named as one of the candidates for Mr. Basketball in a ballot released Friday. Lake Howell's Nick Calathes, the reigning Mr. Basketball, is likely the front-runner, vying to be only the third player to repeat the feat.

Lakewood coach Dan Wright is a candidate for Class 5A coach of the year.

3-POINT SHOOTOUT: Calvary Christian senior guard Brian Horrach found himself in a shootout showdown with a special star's son.

Horrach and St Francis Catholic freshman Billy Donovan, son of Florida coach Billy Donovan, were tied for third place in the FHSAA's 3-point championship for Class A (each netting 6). To break the tie, they each shot five from each corner.

Horrach sank 6, topping Donovan's 4. The Class A champ was Sagemont's Andrew de Cespedes, a lefty who shot first and made 11.

St. Petersburg junior Tracy Parks will compete tonight in Lakeland for the 3A title.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (727) 893-8129.

[Last modified March 3, 2007, 00:06:47]