By Kyle LoJacono
Entering the 2011-12 season the Land O’ Lakes boys basketball team had reached the playoffs seven times in the program’s 36-year history, but had failed to advance past the first round.
Scratch that off the list.
The Gators (22-6) defeated Lakeland Lake Gibson (9-14) 53-30 in their home gym on Feb. 16, sending them to the regional semis for the first time.
“I don’t want to tell them if they don’t know,” said 23-year Land O’ Lakes coach David Puhalski with a laugh.
The Gators knew they were part of program history, including senior point guard Justin Thomopalos.
“I’m elated right now,” Thomopalos said. “This is a whole new feeling. I can’t even describe it. This is the moment we’ve been working for since Day 1. We’ve talked about trying to do this all four years I’ve been here.”
Senior forward Jackson Cannon said Puhalski has told them a playoff win was achievable since the first few practices this year.
“Coach told us we had something special, and as long as we followed through this would be possible,” Cannon said. “We just have to play to our potential.”
The victory is the 15th straight for the Gators, a far cry from a team that started out 0-2.
“We had our ups and downs,” Thomopalos said. “When we played in our winter tournament in Lemon Bay, that’s when things really turned. We lost one game there and haven’t lost since.”
Land O’ Lakes started out slow offensively against the Braves, scoring 17 points in the first half. The defense made up for the sluggish scoring, holding Lake Gibson to just 10 through 16 minutes.
“Ten points in the first half we’ll take that any game,” Puhalski said. “If we only allow 10 at the half I think we’ll be in most games. … Even guys off the bench, Justin Forchion and Randal Ackett, all helped defensively. Everyone contributed.”
The defense was helped by the rebounding of Cannon and junior center Victor Obi, who pulled down nine and 12 respectively.
“I was just focusing on boxing out,” said Obi, who added four blocks. “If you do that the ball will just come to you. Then you just have to grab it with both hands and look for the outlet pass.”
The offense picked up after halftime, exploding for 18 in the third quarter despite the Braves switching to a press defense.
“I think we handled (the press) a lot better than we normally do,” Puhalski said. “The guards really handled the ball well in the press, and we got some easy looks off it.”
Thomopalos handled the ball skillfully through the press, finding the open man for high-percentage shots. McClendon feasted on the passes, scoring 11 of his 13 points after halftime.
“(McClendon) can score at will, so it’s nice to pass to someone like that,” Thomopalos said. “Then we’ve got Mike Morrow and Jackson scoring and Victor Obi altering the other team’s shots. It’s fun to play point with players like that.”
Cannon finished with a team-high 14 points, while Morrow kicked in seven with seven rebounds. Mike Obi scored nine. Thomopalos had four steals, three rebounds and four points.
The Gators play at Winter Haven on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Class 6A regional semis.
