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Buzzer-beater lifts Lakewood

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 13, 2000

No matter who you asked after Lakewood's thrilling, exhilarating, scintillating, captivating and every other "ing" you can think of 83-81 overtime win at Largo on Tuesday, you got the same reaction.

Typical Largo-Lakewood.

Just like last season, when the two Pinellas County powerhouses played four sensational games, it was nip-and-tuck throughout. And just like last year's Class 4A region final, Lakewood hit the winning bucket at the buzzer.

Norris Anderson, a 5-foot-7 senior who didn't play as a junior due to a residency flap, tracked down a long rebound beyond the three-point line with one second to go in overtime and launched his fourth successful three-pointer of the game to keep Lakewood (3-0) unbeaten.

"I looked up and saw one second left, and I just let it go," Anderson said. "Every day in practice I shoot those, falling back, and miss. But I made it."

Lakewood trailed by nine in the second quarter but surged in front, 66-59, in the middle of the fourth quarter. Largo (4-2) rallied, and two swished free throws by Tory Holmes (24 points) with 13 seconds to go sent the game to overtime tied at 70.

The energized home crowd was poised for a celebration when the Packers went ahead 81-76 with a minute to go in OT. However, the Spartans forced three turnovers in the final 41 seconds, and the third one gave Lakewood the ball underneath the Largo basket down a point, 81-80, with 6.8 seconds to go.

Kory Crumbley inbounded to Kevin Dorsey, whose 24-footer bounded high off the rim. The rebound was swatted out to Anderson, who launched a fraction of a second before the buzzer. Moments later, he was engulfed by teammates and cheerleaders.

"It felt good, but I didn't know, I thought it might miss," Anderson said. "Then everybody started jumping, and I jumped, too."

Fourth-quarter outburst carries SPC

ST. PETERSBURG -- St. Petersburg Catholic exploded for 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 points from its bench to upended Jesuit 74-55. "This team was 18-10 last year, and we have a lot of guys back," SPC coach Mike Moran said. "They're really responding to what we're doing here."

Starting the third quarter up 37-29, Moran took a gamble that paid off. His point guard, senior Kevin Farrell, had three fouls. The Tigers went at Farrell, hoping he would pick up another foul. Up only 48-41 entering the fourth quarter, he looked to the bench. Chad Radosevich and Steve Lowrey scored four points in the quarter. Steve Williams even got into the act with a rare bucket.

Baron forward Mike Martino scored a team-high 15 points while Jesuit's Everette Egun led all scorers with 22. -- KURT KRAUS

Early lead sustains Marauders

TAMPA -- A strong second and third quarter helped Clearwater Central Catholic build up a 19-point advantage as it beat Tampa Catholic 65-56. The Marauders (5-0) had three players in double-figures, led by Dominick Jarmula's 21 points. John Templeton added 18 and Marcus Edwards scored 10. -- BILL BLITMAN

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