FRANK JOLLEY | Columnist
frankjolley@dailycommercial.com
Some fans have said that 2011 was a down year for high-school sports in Lake and Sumter counties.
I couldn't disagree more!
From my perspective, the past 12 months may be remembered as one of the best periods for area prep athletics.
Ever!
We had a state champion in boys basketball, a state Final Four representative in girls basketball, and a state Final Four team in baseball. In addition, an East Ridge senior won the school's first state championship in swimming.
Countless other student-athletes earned opportunities to compete in Florida High School Athletic Associations championships in a variety of other sports, ranging from weightlifting, soccer, golf, and track and field.
Boxing enthusiasts always like to compare fighters using the phrase, "pound for pound."
Taking a few literary liberties and using a little poetic license, "student-athlete for student-athlete" Lake and Sumter County doesn't have to take a back seat to anyone when it comes to performing at the highest level.
Leesburg High School set the stage in late February when its girls basketball team made the school's third appearance in five years at the FHSAA state tournament in Lakeland. Even though the Yellow Jackets bowed out of the tournament after a state semifinal loss to St. Petersburg Lakewood, the tradition of excellence established by coach Mark Oates is recognized by many.
A week later, the Yellow Jackets were heading back to the Lakeland Center when the boys basketball team earned a berth in the Class 4A Final Four. Leesburg was one of only a handful of schools to earn berths in the boys and girls state tournaments.
For many in Lakeland, the Yellow Jackets were the proverbial, "Little Engine that Could." Leesburg was not considered a serious threat to win a state title, but the Yellow Jacket bandwagon picked up steam following a 68-52 win against a highly touted Tampa Blake squad.
After taking care of a few logistical issues, including getting coach Marcel Thomas a fresh suit transported from Lake County to Lakeland, the Yellow Jackets prepared for a championship game against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.
Behind solid efforts on both ends of the floor, Leesburg accomplished what had seemed unlikely only a few days earlier with a 66-58 win. It was the Yellow Jackets' first state championship in boys basketball since 1977.
Among those who made the trek to Lakeland to support the Yellow Jackets were members of the school's previous championship team. The school's past and present titlelists celebrated as one and provided the impetus for a celebration that hasn't been seen within city limits in many years.
Less than a week after Leesburg cut down the nets in Lakeland, city officials closed off downtown for a parade to recognize the Yellow Jackets' accomplishments. Residents lined Main Street as players rode to City Hall in a scene reminiscent of parades following recent World Series, Super Bowl and NBA championships.
With a victory on Tuesday against Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, the top-ranked team in Arizona, at the Kingdom of the Sun holiday tournament in Ocala, the Yellow Jackets made it clear the road to the state championship goes through Leesburg.
In November, East Ridge's Justin Kaisrlik capped a brilliant high-school career with a win in the 200-yard individual medley at the FHSAA Class 3A state meet at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando. Kaisrlik won the race, which consisted of 50-yard segments in four strokes -- butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle -- by nearly a second.
He also finished fourth in the 500 freestyle.
And Kaisrlik, apparently, is not done with his work in the pool. After finishing up his final year at East Ridge, which includes attending Lake-Sumter Community College as a dual-enrollment student, Kaisrlik will take his academic and athletic achievements to the University of Florida.
Eventually, Kaisrlik hopes to represent Team USA at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Throw in the Mount Dora baseball team's appearance in the FHSAA's Class state semifinals in May at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, and a state semifinal berth for the East Ridge football team in November, and 2011 was anything but a down year for high-school sports.
In reality, it was one of the better years for area sports.
Truthfully, it may wind up as the best year.
Ever!
Frank Jolley is a columnist for the Daily Commercial. Write to him at frankjolley@dailycommercial.com.
Leesburg Public Library
http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
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Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
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