By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Two Tampa Bay-area schools are traveling to Lakeland for a shot at the state championship.
Brandon and St. Petersburg Lakewood won the region final contests last weekend and will square off against each other in the Class 5A state semifinals. Brandon defeated Winter Park Lake Howell 78-65 to advance while Lakewood destroyed Pinellas Park 60-34.
The trip to the Final Four is Brandon’s first since 2000 while Lakewood is returning to the state tournament for the third time in four seasons. The Spartans also reached the Final Four in 2005 and 2007.
Led by Evan Ravenel’s 23 points, Brandon (24-4) went on an 18-2 run to take over its game against Lake Howell. Then the Eagles had to withstand a furious Lake Howell rally before scoring the last eight points of the game to expand the final margin.
Lakewood (26-3) didn’t have such dramatics. The Spartans’ experience in big games was on display as they controlled their region final contest against Pinellas Park.
Boys Basketball Region Roundup
The other Bay-area boys teams in the region finals did not fare so well.
In Class 6A, the Cinderella Plant City Raiders saw its season end at the hands of Orlando Evans 70-52. Plant City, making its first trip to the region playoffs since 1993, finished the season 17-10.
In Class 2A, Clearwater Calvary Christian (20-10) saw its run come to an end against Naples Community School 61-43. And in Class A, Seffner Christian (15-8) was eliminated by Bradenton Christian 68-49.
Tiger on a Tear
Tampa Middleton third baseman Jamie Mallard is on one serious hot streak.
The 6-foot, 260-pound senior has blasted four home runs in his first four games. A University of Central Florida signee, Mallard doesn’t just hit for power. He also has began the 2008 campaign with a .636 batting average.
Mallard is 7-for-11 in his first four games with 10 rbi, 4 runs scored and 2 doubles.
The Tigers are 2-2 on the season.