Lake Wales Steamrolls Rockledge
Wed. February 22, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff
By RICK BROWN
THE LEDGER
Boys Basketball | Class 5A, Region 3
ROCKLEDGE | The Lake Wales boys basketball express keeps on rolling.
Thanks to a systematic 81-48 dismantling of the Rockledge Raiders in the Class 5A regional semifinals, the Highlander Express' next stop is a home date Saturday in the regional finals.
There, the Jesuit Tigers will try to derail the state's No. 1 ranked 5A team from a return trip to the state tournament.
That is the mission of this year's Highlanders team — steamrolling opponents on a non-stop trip to Lakeland.
"We know what it takes to get there," said Lake Wales' senior Marcel White, who led all scorers with 20 points. "Now, we know what it takes to finish because we've been there (last year). That's the good thing about having so many guys coming back. We're on a mission for the rest of the season."
It started early against Rockledge. Forcing 10 first-quarter turnovers, the Highlanders (25-4) were able to break out to a 27-10 first-quarter lead. They kept expanding on the lead for the rest of the game.
"We came out like we were supposed to," said guard Russel Wilson, who had 14 points. "We got the early lead. Once we got the lead, we started rolling and playing Lake Wales' basketball.
"That's how we play," he said of the pressure defense for the entire game. "As long as there is time on the clock, we're going as hard as we can."
After the first-quarter barrage, the closest Rockledge could get was 15 points the rest of the game.
"It was a solid performance," said coach Billy Dee Washington. "We played well on the defensive end. That was the difference in the end."
Lake Wales (81) — Lamar Welch 6, Douglas Brooks 10, Alante' Fenner 7, Russel Wilson 14, Marcel White 20, Antwan Hadley 9, Savonte' Frazier 2, Cedric Christian 2, Railond Garrett 2, J'Quayveon Williams 7, Dedric Brinson 2. Totals 34 13-22 81.
Rockledge (48) — Joe Brown 6, Marcus Humphrey 8, Darius World 11, Tymon Enwereama 15, Anthony Chambers 2, Jonathan Johnson 6. Totals 15 14-18 48.
Lake Wales 27 14 21 19 — 81
Rockledge 10 12 11 15 — 48
Halftime: Lake Wales 41-22. 3-Pointers: Lake Wales none. Rockledge 4 (Humphrey 2, World , Johnson). Records: Lake Wales 25-4. Rockledge 15-14.
