Winter Haven Books Return Trip to State

By RICK BROWN

THE LEDGER

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WINTER HAVEN | People in Polk County should be used to the success of the Winter Haven girls basketball team but every year there seems to be doubters.

Whether it is a coaching change, the loss of four seniors or the emergence of a potential Cinderella team, there always seems to be those who wonder if Winter Haven's stranglehold on the region will continue. 

But in the end, the result seems to be the same with the Lady Blue Devils returning to state.

They did it again Saturday.

Cynkeria Mobley scored 18 of her game-high 22 points in the second half and Winter Haven's pressure eventually wore down Tampa Jefferson in a 56-44 Class 6A regional final at Jack Deedrick Gymnasium.

With the victory, the Lady Blue Devils will make their 11th trip to the state tournament where they will take on Miami Norland on Friday in the state semifinals. That game will be played at The Lakeland Center at a time to be determined.

Although the Lady Blue Devils (19-8) are returning to state for the third-straight year, this regional championship seemed different.

This year's team was returning just two players who played substantial minutes last year, and this year Winter Haven had one starter dismissed from the team and another go down to injury in the playoffs.

Yet, Winter Haven seems finds a way.

"This means a lot," Mobley said. "People have been (doubting) us saying we wouldn't get anywhere. We just proved it tonight."

Even Saturday, when Winter Haven's lone post player with experience Zeneka Willix picked up her fourth foul with 1:02 left in the third quarter and leading 32-30 lead, the Lady Blue Devils did not panic. 

Winter Haven turned to Yojana Kinsler-Harris and Berdaja Mathis to hold down the fort.

When Willix returned with 4:28 left in the fourth, Winter Haven's lead was six, 40-34. 

Winter Haven then went on a 6-0 run and hit its final six free throws to ice the victory.

"This means everything," said Willix, who, along with Khadijah Howell scored 12 points. "Everyone doubted us, but we're here."

Winter Haven head coach Johnnie Lawson, in his fourth season, is now making his third trip to states.

"I'm trying not to cry," Lawson said. "It's real emotional for me because these girls just fight so much."