Upstart Lake Minneola surprises Leesburg, wins Lake-Sumter Tournament final, February 2, 2013

Lake Minneola's Avery Brown had 18 points and 4 assists in a 53-48 championship victory over Leesburg at the Lake-Cumter County Tournament on Friday. (Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel)

Twins Avery, Anthony Brown lead Lake Minneola past Leesburg in Lake-Sumter tournament final.

February 1, 2013|By Buddy Collings, Staff Writer

MOUNT DORA — Lake Minneola, which opened its doors only a year and half ago, was born ready to play baskeball.

The Hawks (18-6) claimed local bragging rights in only their second season with a dramatic 53-48 win over state-ranked Leesburg (20-5) in Saturday night's Lake-Sumter Tournament final at Mount Dora Bible.

Anthony Brown took a pass from twin brother Avery and knocked down a clutch 3-point shot with 45.8 seconds to go give Lake Minneola a 49-48 lead and the push it needed to finish.

"I knew he was passing to me and I knew the shot was going in, we have that sync," Anthony said. "Leesburg beat us two times this season (and once in 2011-12), but we won the most important one."

The Yellow Jackets, state champions two years ago and Class 6A runner-ups last season, had a late chance to extend their 18-game winning streak. But Lake Minneola's Stephen Forbes drew a baseline charge with six seconds to go and Avery Brown sealed the deal with two made free throws.

"This is huge," said Lake Minneola coach Freddie Cole. "It gives our guys what they deserve for all the hard work they do in the offseason and behind the scenes."
"I think talent-wise, we're there with them. We had to be just as physical."

The Hawks, who are 13-2 in the New Year, jumped out to a 17-6 lead after Avery Brown (18 points, four blocked shots) dunked following a steal late in the first quarter. That advantage grew to 30-15 when Carlyle Holder banked a shot high off the glass with 1:28 to go in the first half.

Leesburg battled back with a 23-8 run and tied the game 38-38 on a follow-shot by Taj Lake.

East Ridge (21-6) prevailed in a 61-58 win over wounded MDB (18-7) in a third place in which workhorse seniors Josh Phillips of the Knights and Josh Ellis of the host Bulldogs both posted double-doubles.

Mount Dora Bible surged ahead 50-47 early in the final quarter on Zack Brock's seventh 3-pointer, but East Ridge answered with an 8-1 run that included treys by Erndona Noel and Austin  Mills.

The host Bulldogs were without forward Lamar Smith due to a bladder infection, then lost standout junior guard Zac Ward to an ankle sprain less than four minutes in. With districts next week Ward was sent to an ice bucket rather than back in to the game.

Mount Dora Bible coach Steven Hayes donned a surgical mask during timeouts to avoid spreading his flu bug.
bcollings@tribune.com