Lakewood at home...Wow.

The Spartans boys hoops team will play in their own gym Tuesday night at 7 p.m. when they hook up with Charlotte in a Class 5A semifinal.

Because the gym only seats 700 or so, it doesn't meet the FHSAA requirement of 1,100 seats for a Class 5A school.

But Charlotte hasn't called to request it be moved (like Venice did last week, and many others do). So the game will be played at Lakewood.

I wrote a column for Tuesday's paper on how teams, namely Venice (and a few others) have used this 1,100-seat rule to get the Spartans to move to a bigger, neutral site when the truth is, there's no need because they don't bring any fans. Last week's crowd could have easily fit into Lakewood's gym.

Is that gamesmanship, or just dirty pool?

Sometimes, it's necessary, but obviously the rule is being taken advantage of to the Spartans detriment.

Comments

* in the voice of Sophia from The Color Purple*

Stephenson & Pena are home now.....PASS ME THE PEAS!!! LOL

GOOOOOOO SPARTANS!!!!
GREAT GAME LAST NIGHT!!

[RSPP]

The last post was not mine.I do think we would win but idk about by 20.

BRING ON PISSY PARK!!!!

Go SPARTANS!!!!!!

[RSPP]

haha the park will beat either of you losers by 20
bring it own

[Kim]

First of all, to the the young man who said " Stephenson and Pena", do you not remember that Lakewood beat "Stephenson & Pena" and the rest of the team last year in the Region Finals by a whopping 28 points??????

Second of all, the Gibbs/Lakewood matchups are always close, due to the city rivalry. Lakewood KNOWS about Charlotte, Gibbs did not. It basically equals to the main thing....GOOD FUNDAMENTAL COACHING!!!

Lastly, Lakewood's home crowd,IMO,are some of the most dedicated fans. Enough said.

GOOOOOOOOOO SPARTANS!!!!

[Vinnie]

First, the Refs are not from Pinellas county for the playoff games in Pinellas. So drop your biased ref rants.

Coach Wright is taking yet another team deep into the playoffs.
The FHSAA's rule on seating is a money matter that is being ABUSED to make the legit home team play elsewhere.

Chamberlain did it a few years ago to Largo and won by 1, and Venice just did it to Lakewood but couldn't make the most of it.
It wasn't right, but it was legal.
You people who have crucified coach Wright and Lakewood for their "Lack of Sportsmanship" Where are you when these teams take the cowards way out and use the FHSAA rule to deprive the true home team from their just rewards?

This is why Coaches Wright and Price don't force the home team out of their gym. Largo will play at Lakewood, Lakewood will play at Largo.
They still have some honor.
I'm no Lakewood fan, but you have to accept that Lakewood is a solid team and Coach Wright DOES get the most out of his players.

What's the phrase... STOP HATIN

HAHAHA PPARK WHOPP LAKEWOOD IN THE WOOD PCAC REMEMBER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA LAKEWOOD IS GARBAGE!!!! OLD NASTY RUSTY OL' GYM!!!

[RSPP]

I know they are being sold at both lunches during school but im not sure how they are being sold to Plant fans or other P Park fans.Try going to the school and go into administration A and ask somebody.

anyone know how to get tickets early to the PPARK game

[RSPP]

Yea that nobody just blew Gibbs out last week.The same Gibbs that Lakewood can't seem to beat by more than 5 points.I think its gonna be a lot closer than you think.

[Vinny]

Youre in for a rude awakening 2 words Pena & Stephenson

[rspp is dumb]

he is saying after they win against that nobody they play tomorrow.

[RSPP]

They don't play saturday.They play tomorrow.

Lakewood has its own personal ref who is the booking commissioner and a number 1 fan all year long.
Boo hoo. playoffs + different refs and you will lose sat.
At Lakewood or at Eckerd

[rent a cop]

If you plan on going to lakewood, bring a body guard. the parking lot is dark, and the wood students will mug you.

Look Ppark beat lakewood at lakewood so it can be done.

[Ryan]

I play all my games at home. I am so good, I never even have to travel. the state championship would be held at oldsmar Christian, but were ineligible to play in the tournament

If I was coaching against Lakewood I would want the game changed. I would push for the Eckerd gym as its bigger. Its hard to find holes out there on the high school floor with there D. I would have a better chance on the big floor.
Whatever floor you pick Lakewood fans will still be there. They travel well.

[Tim]

No its good planning. Lakewood is known for no sportsmanship, recruiting and dirty play.

I would not bring my family to Lakewood to watch a game. I would be afraid of getting mugged by the students.

How many illegal recruiting calls does lakewood make a year?

They get what they deserve. Karma,