Boys hoops: Lakewood's new talent takes same path to state
By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Published February 29, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - Forgive the pollsters for not ranking Lakewood at the beginning of the season.
At first glance, the Spartans appeared to be in dire straits. Anthony Dorsey, Ed Nixon and Ronnie Lane were gone, and many questioned how Lakewood would fare without them.
The answer: just as well.
With Nixon, Dorsey and Lane, the Spartans advanced to the Class 5A final, where they lost to Winter Park Lake Howell.
Without them, Lakewood 29-2 is back at the state tournament and faces Fort Lauderdale Dillard in the 5A championship at 7 tonight at the Lakeland Center.
"Our biggest motivation was to prove everybody wrong," Spartans junior Irez Gray said this week. "There were a lot of people out there who didn't think we could get here without those guys."
Lakewood coach Dan Wright knew his team would be significantly different without the stars from last season. But he took solace in knowing he had enough talent to keep the Spartans among the elite.
"Last year, with the guys we had, we came into the season with the expectation of winning a state title," Wright said. "I think the players we have this season were out to show what they can do."
All season, Wright tinkered and tweaked, pushed and prodded to give his players a chance to be better. The result was another 20-win season and another trip to the state title game. Along the way, the Spartans relied on a new set of stars.
Mike Morrison has dominated in the middle. Reggie Reed has become a steady point guard. And Shamon Cox has provided points at critical moments.
"We've had players who have stepped up at the right time," Wright said. "They've helped us get to back-to-back state title games, which is something we've never done before."
The challenge to win it all, though, will be immense. Much like last season, the Spartans face another nationally ranked team in Dillard, which has an imposing frontcourt.
"We know they're big," Cox said. "We just have to get out and run with them.
Hopefully, that will be enough to win."
Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4169.
State boys basketball
All games at the Lakeland Center. Admission is $9 per session, plus $5 per parking.
Thursday's results
Class 6A: Miami Norland 62, Winter Springs 61
Boyd Anderson 78, Orlando Evans 45
Class 4A: Monsignor Pace 69, Pensacola Washington 54
Lakeland Kathleen 72, Eustis 69
Class 2A: Sagemont 46, Pensacola Christian 29
Arlington Country Day 51, Community School of Naples 41
Today's Finals
Class 5A: Lakewood vs. Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 7 p.m.
Class 3A: Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest vs. P.K. Yonge, 3:30 p.m.
Class A: Boca Raton Grandview Prep vs. Orlando Christian Prep, noon
Directions: Take Interstate 4 East to Exit 31 (Kathleen Road). Turn right on Kathleen Road and continue on Sikes Boulevard. Bear right at the yield sign and turn right at the second traffic light (Lime Street). Lakeland Center is on the right.