Jackets seeks it first Regional Finals since '02
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
February 22, 2011
Leesburg - Leesburg dismantled the Hurricanes two times in the regular season (78-64 and 72-58) but lost the District 5 game 76-75. Lake Weir celebrated its first district basketball championship in 36 years with that win. Lake Weir High School served up the Cinderella story of the 2011 season last week by winning the program's first district title in 36 years. The last time Lake Weir had won a district title was back in 1975 when Hugh Lindsey's led them to the state championship.
The Hurricanes broke a 9 year playoff drought in 2010 but were eliminated in the regional quarterfinals by Orlando Oak Ridge. The last Lake Weir playoff win came in 1999. The Hurricanes are 10-10 all-time in the state playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets have won 15 of 17 going into tonight's game.
Leesburg is in state regional playoffs for the 26th time and have advanced to the sweet sixteen, eight times in nine appearances since 1998. The Yellow Jackets have appeared in 4 State Final Fours, winning the Class 3A State Championship in 1977. Lake Weir won a 1975 state title after runner-up finishes in 1957 and 1972 but didn't make another state regional appearance until 1999.
“We're looking forward to getting another shot at Leesburg,” Surber said. “They're tough, but we know we can play with them.”
The game is expected to sell out well before this evening opening tipoff. Leesburg Head Coach Marcel Thomas will bring a young but tested Yellow Jacket team into the hostile Lake Weir Gymnasium. Leesburg's 69-60 comeback win over Poinciana on the road has given the young Jackets reasons to believe that they pull out a win on the road in Lake Weir. The Jackets have only one senior in their starting lineup Teron Wallace who is averaging 10.5 ppg.
“We knew it was going to be a battle(District 5 championship game),” Lake Weir's Dee Lewis said. “My dad always told me to stay cool and calm. Big players make big shots.”
“The homecourt advantage is huge,” Surber said. “We've only lost one there all year.”
Lake Weir's Dee Lewis, a 6-3 junior, has 33, 29 and 21 points in three postseason wins. Lewis, who put on a spectacular scoring display throughout the tournament, average 31.3 ppg during the tourney. Lake Weir junior Dee Lewis is virtually unstoppable in the open court and deadly around the basket. So when he starts hitting from the perimeter too, that means it'll probably be a long night for whatever team is trying to stop him.
“That's not coaching, that's just a good athlete,” Lake Weir coach Mike Surber said. “When he's hitting outside that's a bonus because his strength is his penetration. When he's hitting on all cylinders, he's hard to stop.”
Lewis is surrounded by some rock-solid floor game from point guard Jamal Ross (7.9 ppg, 7.8 apg) and equally steady post play from 6-foot-3 senior center Ben Mathews (12.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg).
Leesburg is in state regional playoffs for the 26th time and have advanced to the sweet sixteen, eight times in nine appearances since 1998. The Yellow Jackets have appeared in 4 State Final Fours, winning the Class 3A State Championship in 1977. Lake Weir won a 1975 state title after runner-up finishes in 1957 and 1972 but didn't make another state regional appearance until 1999.
All of Leesburg starters are ranked in the top 50 in the respective graduating classes by Florida Hoops. The Jackets are led by
Joe Toolie, a 6-3 junior point guard 12.5 ppg who also leads the Yellow Jackets in assists at 2.6 per game.
"Joe's the kind of player where if he hits his first two 3s, he's probably going to hit three or four more right after that," Leesburg coach Marcel Thomas said.
D'Mauri Jones is the teams second leading scorer with 10.5 ppg and is the team rebound leader with 4.1 rpg.
Next: if Leesburg wins it would travel on Saturday to face the winner of the Brooksville Nature Coast (26-3) vs. Wiregrass Ranch (22-7) game.
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Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
February 22, 2011
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