Winter Haven Whips Land O'Lakes

Wed. February 22, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

Boys Basketball | Class 6A, Region 3

By DICK SCANLON

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

WINTER HAVEN | Devon Walker scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the second half Tuesday night and Winter Haven advanced to the regional final in Class 6A, Region 3 with a 60-42 victory over Land O'Lakes.

The Blue Devils (20-7) will play Saturday night at Palmetto, a 63-58 winner over Tampa Sickles, for the right to go to the final four in Class 6A.

Winter Haven confused Land O'Lakes with a variety of presses early in the game, holding the Gators (22-7) to 12 points in the first half. Land O'Lakes fell behind by as many as 28 points before rallying to get back in the game.

"From our scouting report, they didn't play a lot of teams that pressured them," said Winter Haven coach Tyrone Woodside. "We have a lot of quick and athletic players and we took advantage of that."

Freshman Chance McSpadden scored the first two baskets, the second off a turnover, and the Blue Devils led all the way.

The Gators never shot a free throw until the middle of the third quarter. They were down, 45-17, late in the third quarter, when it appeared the Blue Devils would hold an opponent under 30 points for the third time five games.

Ernest McClendon, who led Land O'Lakes with 16 points, hit a 3-pointer for the first of 13 straight Gator points to close out the third quarter.

The Gators trimmed Winter Haven's lead to 11 with 2:06 to go, but the Blue Devils pulled the ball out and Walker iced the victory with five straight free throws.

LAND O'LAKES (42) – Cannon 8, Morrow 12, V. Obi 2, Thomopalos 0, McClendon 16, J. Forchion 0, M. Obi 2, K. Forchion 2, Guglielmello 0.

WINTER HAVEN (60) – Hawkins 0, McSpadden 11, James 2, Holland 11, Walker 22, Jordan 6, Morris 6, Hendrix 0, Celestin 2, Georges 0, Jasper 0.

Land O'Lakes 8 4 18 12 – 42

Winter Haven 12 14 19 15 – 60

Three-point goals: McClendon 2, Morrow. Records: Land O'Lakes 22-7, Winter Haven 20-7.