Lakewood rallies its way to final

After falling behind early, the Spartans crank up their defense and shut down the Eagles.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Published February 28, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Class 5A semifinals Photo gallery: Brandon vs. Lakewood [Daniel Wallace | Times] Brandon's Marcus Morrison, left, and Lakewood's Mike Morrison reach for a first-quarter rebound. Mike Morrison finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Spartans.

LAKELAND - When their team needed them most Wednesday, Brandon's Tarron Stewart and Blake Allen were trapped, as if they were insects entangled in a spider's web.

The web was the superb defense of the Lakewood Spartans. With their season in jeopardy, after Stewart and Allen darted and dashed their way to 11 first-quarter points in the Class 5A state semifinals, the Spartans knew their mission.

Both had to be stopped.

The rest of the game, Lakewood engulfed the Eagles' guards, surrounding them, harassing them, forcing them to surrender the ball and cutting off their lanes to the basket.

Stewart and Allen were held to six total points in the second and third quarters. And after committing just two turnovers in the first quarter, the Eagles had 27 in the final three.

By applying the pressure at the right time, the Spartans held Brandon to its lowest point total in a playoff game to win 56-50 and earn a date against Fort Lauderdale Dillard in the 5A finals.

"I have to give credit to Lakewood's defense," Brandon coach Mark Hermann said. "They definitely have some athletes and were quicker than us.

"We just didn't take care of the ball. You're not going to win a final four game at any level with that many turnovers."

Early on Brandon 24-5 was in control, scoring inside with Stewart and Allen to take a 15-7 lead after the first quarter.

Then Lakewood (29-2) turned up the heat.

By creating turnovers - and capitalizing on them - the Spartans crawled back into the game, cutting the deficit to 23-18 at the half, then going ahead 36-34 at the end of the third quarter.

"It was that legendary Lakewood defense that came through," said Spartans guard Reggie Reed, who scored 10.

By the fourth quarter, the Spartans' aggressive defense and depth paid off. Brandon's Evan Ravenel and Stewart fouled out.

"I thought we were able to keep (Stewart and Allen) in check," Lakewood coach Dan Wright said. "Our defense was able to force them into some mistakes and we were fortunate enough to get some steals and score."

Lakewood's Shamon Cox scored a team-high 15, followed by Mike Morrison with 13. Stewart finished with 16 for Brandon.

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4169.

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 00:44:02]