By Mel Barlow
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
LAKELAND - Leesburg's victory in the AAA state final Saturday night left few questions unanswered. Of course there isn't any doubt about the Yellow Jackets being THE POWER in their classification, But a lot of area fans are asking is: could coach Bill Clendinen's squad handle AAAA winner Orlando Boone?
There really isn't anyway to accurately answer that question since the two teams never met during the regular season. The Jackets did however, face Deland twice, winning the first encounter by one and then coming back in the second confrontation to win by six. Boone did not play Deland during the regular schedule.
A check of common opponents of Boone and Leesburg is interesting. Both schools played Apopka and Ocala Vanguard and Lyman. The Braves squeaked past the Blue Darters by one point and then won by four in the second meeting. Leesburg dropped Apopka three times, twice by 18 points and third by eight . The Jackets crushed the Darters in the District Final.
Coach Wayne Rickmans Braves Defeated Vanguard 74-62 in their only meeting while the Yellow Jackets beat the Knights twice once by four 60-56 and then by nine 69-60 both clubs handled AAAA Lyman, Boone dumped the Greyhounds twice 44-42 and then by a 63-59 margin Leesburg romped over the Longwood School 60-45, in the Rotary title game behind Ed Chatmans 34 points.
If comparing records and margins as a barometer, one would have to come to the conclusion that the Yellow Jackets are every bit as tough as the Braves with a definite edge in defense.
Deland's game Saturday Night against the Orlando School left a lot to be desired. Sure Oliver Lee had his best tournament game with 32 points against the scrappy and shorter Braves. But anyone that has seen the Bulldogs play before Saturday knew Art Parissi kids just weren't playing anywhere near their full potential.
Yes, Boone did press and yes Deland found it difficult to set up normal offensive operation. But the Bulldogs seemed asleep at times, losing the ball on passes right into their hands of the opposition over and over again.
Now that brings up another interesting question. Did a night's layoff hurt Deland? Maybe, maybe not. But considered this point. Not one of the winners in four classifications played Thursday night. Malone, Pahokee, Leesburg and Boone came into the tournament faced with back to back games Friday and Saturday. Coral Gables, Deerborne, Alachua Santa Fe, Marianna and Deland, all losers played on the tournaments opening day, Thursday. Could a night of partying and having a good time-hurt those second best squads?
Several teams stayed at the same Motel I occupied during the three day event. I won't mention any names, but a couple that lost out were there. And let me tell you all three nights were party time.
The police had to be called in the Motel every night. But they could only do so much, which basically give the kids a time limit to be back in their rooms. After the law left the noise started all over.
Sure not all the players staying at the Motel were involved in the this in this late, late night frolicking. But at least one squad was evicted by the innkeeper. Of course there were a lot of other youngsters weren't members of the team but who were there to support the team in adjoining rooms.
The Jackets on the other hand were secluded in their motel. There was a 11:30 curfew, No guests and no parties. A good time sure, but Clendinens's kids respect discipline. they learned what it takes to be a consistent winner. No breaking the rules for them. They were glad to be in Lakeland but they were there to win a basketball title.
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