#1 Lake Wales Overwhelms Merritt Island

By MIKE COBB

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

LAKE WALES | Lake Wales coach Billy Washington wants to make sure his team stays hungry through the Class 5A boys basketball playoffs. Thursday night, the Highlanders had no trouble with that goal.

 

In a game that quickly became a rout, the Highlanders rolled past Merritt Island, 65-21, in a regional quarterfinal game at Lake Wales High School.

 

The outcome was never really in doubt after the Highlanders (24-4) jumped out to an early 14-2 lead and continued to extend that lead throughout the game.

 

"The kids are ready to play," Washington said. "They're hungry, I'm going to keep them hungry and that's going to be our competitive edge from here on out."

 

The Highlanders' next test comes Tuesday night at Rockledge in a regional semifinal game. Rockledge advanced with a 67-63 overtime win over Auburndale.

 

Thursday night, Lake Wales used its speed and depth to blow the Mustangs (13-13) out early, extending their early 14-2 lead to a 40-7 advantage by halftime. By early in the third quarter, Lake Wales extended its lead beyond 35 points sending the game to a running clock the rest of the way.

 

Lake Wales, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 5A, played all 15 players it had dressed with 12 players scoring. Marcel White, Douglas Brooks and Russel Wilson each scored 10 points to lead the way.

 

"We don't have to worry about being in foul trouble because somebody will come off the bench with the same intensity, and they're going to play hard and play their role," Wilson said.

 

The Highlanders' balance has been one of their strengths throughout the season.

 

"We're rather deep," Washington said . "Even the kids I brought up from (junior varsity), a lot of them would probably start in other programs, so I'm not hesitant to put any of my 15 guys in.

 

"Also, being deep, we have great balance in scoring," Washington said. "We have four people scoring in double digits, we try to spread the ball around, play good team ball and that's what's carried us so far."

 

It was the Highlanders' 10th win this season by 30 points or more.

 

 

 

MERRITT ISLAND (21) – Lucas Naugher 2, Kyle Galeano 2, Nick Smith 2, Jamell Gordon 2, Davontae Gordon 7, Carson Hiner 0, Reggie Spann 1, Chris Calhoun 1, Brad Cox 0, Mikey Owens 4. Totals 8 4-14 21.

 

LAKE WALES (65) – Lamar Welch 4, Douglas Brooks 10, Alante Fenner 7, Shaquille Snell 2, Russell Wilson 10, Marcel White 10, Antwan Hadley 5, Savonte

 

Frazier 2, Cedric Christian 1, Railond Garrett 0, J'Quaveon Williams 4, David Campbell 0, Ladaran Wilson 2, Dedrick Brinson 8, Davion Riley 0. Totals 26 7-14 65.

 

Merritt Island 4 3 6 8 – 21

 

Lake Wales 14 26 12 13 – 65

 

3-Point FGs: Merritt Island 1 (Owens); Lake Wales 6 (Brooks 2, White 2, Fenner 1, Wilson 1). Records: Merritt Island 13-13, Lake Wales 24-4.