Region Final - Live updates
PUNTA GORDA -- The early-birds arriving at Charlotte High for tonight's region final between Lakewood and the Tarpons may be shocked at what they see.
The school, all but demolished by a hurricane in August 2004, has places on campus that "look like downtown Beirut," Charlotte AD Brian Nolan said.
The only two buildings that remained intact were the cafeteria and the gym, where the region championship will be decided tonight. Check here for live updates -- as well as the score from the Calvary Christian-Bradenton Christian 1A final
The Tarpons run - 14 straight wins - has been embraced by the small town. Nolan had to turn away about 100 people who showed up at 3 pm looking for tickets. Gates didn't open until 5:30
Lakewood just arrived, about one hour before tipoff. They ran into the same traffic logjam I got caught in on I-75. Quick tip: If you haven't left for the game by now, you're gonna be late...
Before the game, there will be the 3-point championship. The winner moves on to the state tournament next week. Representing Pinellas County are Billy Hobach (Seminole) and Largo's Mike Helm. Rob Alexander from Plant is also here...
Stay tuned, and feel free to post questions.....I'll keep you posted as much as I can..
-- JOE SMITH
The St. Petersburg Times High School Sports blog is written and compiled by the Times preps sports staff from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We invite your participation in the comments area.
Both teams are warming up - the music is loud and the stands are packed...
The Tarpons apparently went to a "white out," all wearing white shirts on the stands....
Lakewood traveled well, bringing about 200 people or so....
In the 3-point shootout earlier, Plant's Rob Alexander won with 8 makes, and Seminole's Bill Hobach took 3rd place with 6....
Largo's Mike Helm chose not to participate, even though he qualified for it....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Check that, about 300 Lakewood fans are here - all wearing black and gold......Few other Pinellas County hoop guys came to watch - like Boca Ciega guards Lamorya Daniels and Steve Andrews....
Bogie lost to Charlotte 80-48 in the region quarters.....Charlotte then beat Clearwater....
If they advance to the final four, the running joke is that they'd be another PCAC champ....
National anthem......stay tuned
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 06:54 PM
The Tarpons are revved up, seemingly very loose as lineups are announced- the crowd's getting pretty loud
Lakewood guys are loose, too, sharing a few laughs- and some stone cold stares to the Tarpons....
Tipoff time....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:02 PM
Nixon makes a nice cross over move on a drive off the tip....Tarpons forward Timmy Snyder soars over to block the shot....
Tarpons score on first possesion inside. Dago Pena just hit a 3- in transition....
The Tarpons are feeding off their crowd, picking up the tempo. Lakewood is settling for outside shots....
Lakewood appears a bit out of sync....Charlotte has taken 9-0 leads in their first two region playoff games ...
Now, Chris Stephenson scores - plus the foul -
A big problem for Lakewood. That was Nixon's second foul
He can't come out though because they're down 10-0
Dorsey hits a 3 to cut it to 10-3.... with 5:41 left
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:06 PM
Dorsey has two big 3s early on to keep Lakewood in it....
The Spartans are settling in -- beginning their full court press
Lane just scored on an offensive rebound...He came to play...
Dago Pena hit his third 3 of the game -to put the Tarpons up 15-9 with 4:10
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:09 PM
A starting guard for each team each has two fouls
Nixon for LW and Chris Stephenson for Tarpons....
Jordan Stephenson is going to the line for 3 FTs....clanked the first one
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Another offensive putback by Lakewood -- this time it was Rashon Stewart. Irez Gray just made a nice block
They'll need those two to give them good minutes tonight....
16-11 Charlott 3:00 left
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:12 PM
Nixon still hasn't made a shot yet - still trying to find his way. He's playing with two fouls, so he's got to be careful on traps
Of course, I say that and now he hits a 3....17-14 Charlotte
Snyder scores inside 19-14
Nixon scores in transition
The game is being played at a frentic pace....Stewart picked up his second fould...Charlotte is really attacking the basket, drawing fouls
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:15 PM
19-18 Charlotte after 1
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:19 PM
Lakewood is turning the tables....theyre swarming defensively, taking Charlotte out of its game
LW is up 22-19 thanks to a thunderous baseline jam by Dorsey
A tech foul on a Tarpon player....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:21 PM
Pena picked up his second foul - then Tarpons coach picked up a technical foul...
Mike Morrison flashed a big grin and waved at the crowd to get them pumped
Lakewood is up 24-19 with 6:30
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:23 PM
Charlotte's goin to zone D
LW is up 26-19 with 6:21 left.....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:25 PM
what's going on?? need info! Go Spartans!!
Posted by: melissa | February 24, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Lakewood up 34-27 at half
Calvary up 39-28 at half over Bradenton Christian
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:54 PM
Lakewood ended the first half strong-- they're swarming defensively, causing turnovers. On offense, they're moving the ball well
Morrison is on his game - with a couple good moves inside and a breakaway dunk near the end of the half
They've definitely taken momentum - and feel like they've taken the Tarpons best shot (down 10-0 to start the game)...
The Spartans inside play has been great. Morrison scored six points early in the third quarter (Lakewood up 42-33)...Ronnie Lane is a monster on the offensive glass...
The thing keeping Tarpons in it is their shooting. Chris Stephenson has two third quarter 3s...
Lakewood up 42-33.....with 5:23 left in third
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:56 PM
A Charlotte bench player, Mike Wilkie hit a 3 from the corner....one of those classic spot up stuff
Tarpons are creeping back. It's 42-36
A big block by Dorsey on another 3 attempt. He goes coast to coast for circus layup.
Nixon steals the ball on the next possession..He drives to the hoop and scores
LW up 46-36
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Dorsey just scored underneath after a nice flex cut....
He hits the free throw - Lakewood up 13 points...
The Spartans are runnign away with it now....
Stewart had a nice steal and breakway layup - plus the foul. He added a tip in.....
Now, he scored plus the foul again. Stewart is taking over....
"Lakewood! "Lakewood!" chants from the crowd...
Spartans are up 55-36 with a timeout coming...
2:42 left in third
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Stewart is playing inspired ball....he just picked up his fourth foul and was replaced by Lane....
LW is up 56-37.... with 2:14 left in the third quarter..
Tarpons just airballed a FT....they're really losing steam, just tossing up outside shots..
The only one playing consistent is Pena.....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:06 PM
Calvary is up 53-43 over Bradenton Christian after the third quarter. Christian bibi Ndongo has 16 points...
One quarter away from their first Final Four...
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:08 PM
Standing room only crowd here in Charlotte...people are standing five deep at every corner...
I'd estimate close to 1,400 fans here...Lakewood is representing, making a bunch of noise with limited numbers (300)...
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:10 PM
Goooooooooooooo Lakewood!!!
Posted by: Bonnie Snider | February 24, 2007 at 08:11 PM
LAKE...WOOD
LAKE...WOOD
LAKE...WOOD
Posted by: melissa | February 24, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Here's Lakewood's first technical....Called for too many men on the court...
The way they've been playing D, the Tarpons may think there's six all the time...
Lakewood is up 61-41 after three quarters...
Pena has 13 pts for Tarpons (10 in first quarter)
Dorsey has 24 for Lakewood. Stewart has 8..
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Ditto that Bonnie!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Darlene Lebo | February 24, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Yea Spartans!
Posted by: Bonnie Snider | February 24, 2007 at 08:16 PM
Post more Calvary Warrior info please! Thanks for the info above! Go CC Warriors!
Posted by: Calvary fan | February 24, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Nixon two FTs....LW is up 63-41
Morrison has two blocks in the past minute or so....The Spartans are really making Tarpons take tough shots...
A typically strong shooting Charlotte team is struggling - they're pressing, forcing bad shots right now
LW is up 65-41 with 6 min left
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:18 PM
What is going on now?
Posted by: Bonnie Snider | February 24, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Charlotte has put together two big dunks - one by Pena and one by Phillips
Phillips thunderous dunk also drew Dorsey's fourth foul...
Lakewood is up 66-46 with 5:30 left but Charlotte is pressing, getting some momentum back...
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:21 PM
The Dynasty Continues. Go Lakewood. I will be at Lakeland on Wednesday!
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 08:22 PM
LW takes timeout - they're slowing things down, working the clock
They're up 67-47 with 4:02 left...
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:25 PM
Way to go, Lakewood! See you in Lakeland!
Posted by: melissa heeren | February 24, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Nixon just slashed to the lane for two quick layups..they can't stop him off the dribble...
LW is up 71-47 with 2:42 left....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Plenty of Tarpon fans are leaving the gym....2:41 left and LW is up 71-48
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Lakewood Spartans-- Lakeland Bound!!
Posted by: Darlene Lebo | February 24, 2007 at 08:31 PM
Nixon has 11 fourth quarter points-- helping Lakewood close things out....
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:31 PM
This just in:
Lake Howell beat Wharton, 70-59
So Lakewood (which is up 77-48 with 1:33 to go) will play them
That'll match up the No 1 and No. 2 teams in the state in 5A....Should be another great one
LW empties its bench get a standing Ovation from the crowd
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:33 PM
Thanks for doing this blog.. WAY better than reading about it in the paper in the morning. Way to go Coach Wright. What's that word? Dynasty?
Go Spartans!
Posted by: Melissa Heeren | February 24, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I need a update quick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bonnie Snider | February 24, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I would like to say thank you Joe from all of the Lakewood fans who couldn't make it.
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 08:35 PM
If the game is an early game we are going to try and rent student busses to take kids over. I will need chaperones, any volunteers???
Posted by: Darlene Lebo | February 24, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Final
Lakewood wins 83-53
The Spartans will play Lake Howell wed at Lakeland
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 08:35 PM
anyone know anything about the Calvary Christian game???? Please
Posted by: Calvary fan | February 24, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Count me in!
Posted by: Melissa Heeren | February 24, 2007 at 08:36 PM
According to the FHSAA bracket, Lakewood does not play Lake Howell rather the winner of Robert E. Lee and Wolfson! That # 1 v. 2 matchup will have to wait until the FINALS!!!
Posted by: Darlene Lebo | February 24, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Sorry Lakewood doesnt play Lake Howell.....wouldnt play them until the finals
Calvary won 80-70
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 09:04 PM
Tazmpa prep score??
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 09:08 PM
how many points did ed and dorsey have?
Posted by: koza | February 24, 2007 at 09:09 PM
Great job Joe!
Posted by: Sarah McLaulin | February 24, 2007 at 09:19 PM
Tampa prep score please!!
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 09:21 PM
In Calvary's 10-point win
Brian Horrach had 21 and bibi ndongo had 20 ....marcos quinones had 13....
The Warriors led pretty much the entire way...
No score on Tampa Prep yet - will let you know
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 09:29 PM
THUG IT IN AND OUT
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 09:40 PM
Ms. Lebo- we'd like to chaperone-I sent you an e-mail on outlook.
Posted by: Jean Brennan | February 24, 2007 at 09:57 PM
Joe- thanks so much on the Calvary info! I really appreciate it!
Posted by: calvary fan | February 24, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Thanks to the tampa tribune I know that tampa prep won 45-35
Posted by: | February 24, 2007 at 10:32 PM
great game with cchs and bradenton christian. Calvary's Kevin Cantinol and Bradenton's 6'10" center had a nice battle throughout the game.
great game overall and great atmosphere!
Posted by: calvary warrior fan | February 24, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Got a Tampa Prep score:
Tampa Prep 45, Community School 35...
TP held Community to just one point in the fourth quarter....
TP plays Port St. Joe Thursday at Lakeland....
Sorry for the delay - I had to write my story and this NFL combine stuff....
Any more questions?
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Some other scores:
Region 2-2A: Arlington Country Day 65, Providence 53
Region 1-5A: Lee 61, Wolfson 55
Region 1-3A: Ribault 81, Hamilton County 71
6A
Winter Park 56, Lake Brantley 54
C lass 6A
Orlando Dr. Phillips 81, Orlando Olympia 59
To answer your question on Dorsey, he had 23 points - his biggest, however, were in the first two minutes, when the Tarpons were on a 10-0 run and in control...
Posted by: Joe Smith | February 24, 2007 at 11:31 PM
Thanks Joe for keeping Lakewood fans left behind in St. Pete informed - too bad I had to dig all the way through the comments to find out the score. Why didn't the blog page change from your 6:47 pm blog? Or how come sports didn't post the score on Tampabay.com where we could find it quickly???? Oh well, I found it now - thanks to you.
Posted by: Anthea Penrose | February 25, 2007 at 12:11 AM