Gerald Lacey One On One With Mark Oates, November 19, 2011

Leesburg Girls Basketball Coach Mark Oates

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

November 18, 2011

LEESBURG - The Lady Jackets of Leesburg High School has begun its quest for a return trip to Lakeland for the State Finals. Head coach Mark Oates is in his ninth year at Leesburg and has a record of 175-53 overall. Oates has never had a losing season at Leesburg and has guided his team to the State Final Four three times in the last five years. The Lady Jackets have been to five State Final Four overall and did it back to back twice.


I had a chance to speak with Coach Oates this morning one on one about the state of the Lady Jackets Basketball program.
 

Here is an exclusive interview with Leesburg High School Girls Basketball Head Coach Mark Oates

Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:

Gerald Lacey One On One With Coach Mark Oates

Coach Mark Oates:

Good Morning Coach Oates 

Coach Mark Oates:

Hi Gerald

Gerald Lacey:

What does your starting PG and 2012 University of West Florida Signee Baylie Bridges bring to the table for your program?

Coach Mark Oates:

"She's been my starting point guard from Day 1,  She comes in every day ready to work. She's a true leader in every sense of the word."

Gerald Lacey:

Leesburg has been traditionally a full court press team. Will you be a team that utilizes the press defensively?

Coach Mark Oates:

We will press some, probably not as much in years past due to the type of players that we have this year. I think we will be more of an in your face half court team. 

Gerald Lacey:

What are some of your goals for this season's team?

Coach Mark Oates:

Our first goal every season is to win our first game and we accomplished that but, ultimately to be a State Champion.

Gerald Lacey:

What are some of the similarities between this season's team and last year's team?

Coach Mark Oates:
This team has a core group from last season in Baylie Bridges, Ashley Perry, Joharra Russell and Coco Carter. We have some new faces and I feel we have more interior depth. Jaleesa Blue (Florida A&M University) and Ashley Lanier (St. Petersburg College) are missed in the post area.

Gerald Lacey:

Will Ashley Perry be your number one option on offense?

Mark Oates: 

We don't place a value system on our options, we try to get the ball to the player in the best position to score.

Gerald Lacey:

Could you tell us a little about newcomer freshman Jasmine Coleman?

Coach Mark Oates:
Jasmine is going to be a fine player one day. She is struggling a lil with the transition from Middle School to high school. She is a good shooter and will help us this season.

Gerald Lacey:
Thank you for taking out time in your busy schedule to do this interview Coach Oates. Remember do it the Yellow Jacket Way "GO HARD".


Coach Mark Oates:
You are welcome Gerald, I will.

Resources
Mark Oates
Girls Basketball Coach
Leesburg High School


Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

Gerald Lacey One On One With Mark Oates, August 18, 2011

Leesburg Head Coach Mark Oates and PG Baylie Bridges in the postgame interview at the FHSAA Girls Basketball Class 4A State Final Four

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

August 18, 2011

Leesburg - Leesburg Lady Jackets head coach Mark Oates has been busy this summer getting team ready for another run at a State Final Four. Three starters return from last year team including the top two scorers from 2010-2011. Senior Coco Carter had a great summer and the 2011-2012 will be her finest season as a Lady Jacket. I had a chance to sit down with Coach Oates this morning and talk about the upcoming season for the Lady Jackets.

Here is an exclusive interview with Leesburg High School Girls Basketball Head Coach Mark Oates

Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:

Gerald Lacey One On One With Coach Mark Oates

Gerald Lacey:

Good morning coach Oates how are you?

Coach Mark Oates:

I am doing fine this morning Gerald.

 

Gerald Lacey:

Coach Oates when took over the program at Leesburg did you ever imagine being one of the elite teams in state.

Coach Mark Oates:

Our goal from the time I became the Head Coach in 2003 was to become the best program in the state of Florida.

Leesburg head coach Mark Oates led the Lady Jackets to the programs 16th District Championship in 2010-2011

Gerald Lacey:

Is this the largest tournament that your Lady Jackets ever been invited to.

Coach Mark Oates:

We played in this same tournamen last year but the name of the tournament has changed. Last year it was called the Brothers, Inc. Tournament. The same group is still coordinating the tournament. Last years tournament had 64 teams from all over the United States. 

Gerald Lacey:

What will you do to prepare your team for this event?

Coach Mark Oates:

We will prepare like we always do, we want to be well conditioned as well as disciplined.

Gerald Lacey:

What will your expectations be of your point guard and second leading scorer Baylie Bridges this season?

Coach Mark Oates:

I expect Baylie to continue to be the team leader that she has been since the day she stepped foot on Leesburg High's campus.. Baylie is a dream come true and I would love to have 12 Baylie's. I feel she is probably the most underrated player in the state. 

Gerald Lacey: 

Which colleges are interested in Baylie Bridges at this time.

Coach Mark Oates:

Troy University, University of West Florida , Florida Gulf Coast University , Jacksonville University, Samford University and others. 

SG Joharra Russell will be counted on heavily during her junior season in 2011-2012

Gerald Lacey:

Are you excited about the upcoming season with your top two leading scorers Ashley Perry and Baylie Bridges returning.

Coach Mark Oates:

I am very excited about the return of Baylie and Ashley Perry as well as Joharra Russell and Coco Carter.

Gerald Lacey:

You have been impressed with Coco Carter this summer what does she bring to the table in terms of her basketball skills and court savvy?

Coach Mark Oates:

Coco will be the surprise player in central Florida this season. We had a great summer and an awesome experience at camp down at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. Coco has the ability to get hot from long range and hit 4 or 5 three pointers in a row. She has not shown what kind of player she really is in previous seasons but I think this season she will quickly become a fan favorite. Coco has such a vivacious personality and makes everyone around her feel at ease. She can get down and dirty when she has to also.

Coco Carter will have a breakout season this year for the Lady Jackets. She is capable of  taking over a game with her 3 point shooting. Carter will give opposing coaches and defenses nightmares in 2011-2012 scoring 3 point baskets.

Gerald Lacey:

How will you compensate for the loss of Jaleesa Blue and Ashley Lanier in terms of rebounding?

Mark Oates:

Jaleesa Blue and Ashley Lanier were outstanding rebounders but we will become more of a team of rebounders next season. 

Gerald Lacey:

Does this team believe it can get back to Lakeland and what has been your motto for achieving that goal this year.

Coach Mark Oates:

"If go out and play our style of basketball -- tough defense -- and play our best game of the season, I believe we can beat anyone in the state." 

Junior Forward Ashley Perry will be on every college in the nation wish list by the end of the 2011-2012 season. She led the team in scoring her sophomore season and has had a great summer.

Gerald Lacey: 

Thank You Coach Oates you and your Lady Jackets help make my job so much fun and easier. I thank God that you have allowed me total access to your team and your program. You are a winner coach Oates on and off the court. May God continue to bless you and your program. Remember "GO HARD".

Coach Mark Oates:

Thanks Gerald and you keep up the good work brotha.

Resources
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

Lady Jackets invited to Queen of the Palms Classic, August 18, 2011

Leesburg head coach Mark Oates and his Leesburg Lady Yellow Jackets have been invited to play in the Queen of the Palms Classic Girls Basketball Tournament August 18, 2011

LEESBURG -  When Lady Jackets Head Coach Mark Oates took over the Leesburg girls basketball program in 2003 he had visions of a hoops dynasty at Leesburg. As a youngster growing up in North Carolina, Oates was a fan of the University of North Carolina and of its coach, Dean Smith. His approach to the game is similar to the one Smith used to build a dynasty with the Tar Heels. 

"My preferred style of play is the same style Dean Smith used," Oates said. "In our system, we don't run a whole lot of set plays on offense. Scoring opportunities come if you are willing to play defense. It is not hard for kids to buy into the philosophy of having to play defense because they can score points."

Leesburg two leading scorers in 2011 Baylie Bridges left and Ashley Perry right


 

He has accomplished that in his eight seasons at Leesburg leading the Lady Jackets to 3 State Final Four appearances in 5 years. His Lady Jackets are favored to return to Final Four for 6th time in programs storied history in 2012. Oates squad is loaded once again and he returns his top two scorers PG Baylie Bridges and SF Ashley Perry.

The rewards for building such program are recogition on a national level. The type of program that Oates has built has led his Lady Jackets to being invited to some of the most prestegious tournaments in the nation.

Joharra Russell will be asked to play a bigger role in the Lady Jackets offense with the departures of  last years top two rebounders Jaleesa Blue Florida A&M signee and Ashley Lanier Saint Petersburg College signee.

Oates Lady Jackets have been invited to the 64 team Queen of the Palms Classic, set for Dec. 28-30 in Fort Myers, Florida.  The 64-team field has seven Central Florida girls basketball teams Timber Creek, Evans, Leesburg, Orlando University, Olympia, Lake Mary and Boone. The teams are divided into eight eight-team divisions. Last year, Olympia (platinum) and Timber Creek (gold) won their respective divisions.

The 64-team tournament will feature potentially four teams ranked nationally and a number of players who are slated to play at the Division I level in college.


The complete brackets and schedule for the classic have yet to be announced. 


Here is a short list of some of the teams that will participating:
Haines City, Port Charlotte, Sarasota Riverview, Sebastian River, St. Petersburg, Orlando Timber Creek, Viera, Gainesville Buchholz, Fort Myers Dunbar, Tallahassee Florida High, Fort Pierce Central, Naples Gulf Coast, Sarasota, Riviera Beach Suncoast, Ocala West Port, Golden Gate, Jacksonville-Bolles, Hialeah, Lehigh, Palm Beach Central, 
Palm Harbor-UniversitySeffner Christian, Leto-Steinbrenner, Palmetto Ridge, Orlando-Boone, Cape Coral, Lake Mary, Tallhassee-Lincoln, Riverview-Spoto, Vero Beach

Resources

Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

5 Lady Jackets make 2011 All Lake/Sumter Counties girls basketball teams

LADY JACKETS JALEESA BLUE NAMED 2011 LAKE/SUMTER COUNTIES GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR BY THE ORLANDO SENTINEL

Lake/Sumter Counties

Player of the Year
Jaleesa Blue, Leesburg, 5-10, Sr.
The Buzz: Blue's inside presence was the catalyst for the Yellow Jackets' deep run in the state playoffs. She averaged a double-double this season. (11.2 points, 11.3 rebounds)

All-County First Team
Latasha Kennerson, South Sumter, 5-6, Sr.
Baylie Bridges, Leesburg, 5-8, Jr.
Asia Marion, The Villages, 5-8, So.
Joharra Russell, Leesburg, 5-8, So.
Ashley Perry, Leesburg, 5-10, So. 

Second team
Katura Harrison, South Sumter, 5-11, Sr.
Ashley Lanier, Leesburg, 5-11, Sr.
Dayanara Rivera, South Lake, 5-9, Sr.
Corissa Archer, East Ridge, 6-2, Jr.
Dakotah Dailey, Tavares, 5-10, Jr. 

Third team
Kiana Maple, Mt. Dora, 5-8, Sr.
Tomi Akinpetide, Montverde, 5-9, So.
Morgan Kerns, South Lake, 5-7, Fr.
Tiarra Anderson, South Lake, 5-8, Jr.
Kristin Lloyd, Tavares, 5-8, Sr.

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

 

 

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.  

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

 

Jaleesa Blue and Ashley Perry named to BHSN 2011 All-Central Florida Girls Basketball Team

LEESBURG'S JALEESA BLUE DRIBBLES PAST A ST. PETE LAKEWOOD DEFENDER IN THE 2011 CLASS 4A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE SEMIFINALS GAME.

LEESBURG - Leesburg's Jaleesa Blue and Ashley Perry were both named to the BHSN 2011 All-Central Florida Girls Basketball Team. Blue and Perry help lead the Lady Jackets to 24-7 record and the programs  5th State Final Four this past season. Blue was named to the second team while Perry was named Honorable Mention.

"I'm blessed to coach some young ladies," Oates said. "I love every one of them. I love the community we live in, and the support it gives us. Our program wouldn't be what it is without that support. 

Jaleesa Blue will take her talents to Florida A&M in the fall and hopes to make a impact for the Lady Rattlers immediately. The 5' 10" senior averaged 11.2 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 3.5 steals per game. She was also named to the FACA 2011 All-State Girls Basketball Team.

LEESBURG'S ASHLEY PERRY DEFENDS A ST. PETE LAKEWOOD PLAYER IN THE CLASS 2011 4A GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINAL GAME

Ashley Perry led the Lady Jackets in scoring last season as a sophomore. She averaged 13.6 ppg and show tremendous poise in head coach Mark Oates offense. The 5' 10" sophomore is very versatile and played three positions for Oates. Here is the rest of the team listed below.

ORLANDO --  2011 BHSN All-Central Florida Girls Basketball Team

1st Team

Taryn Griffey, Dr. Phillips

Morgan Jones, Lake Mary

Ronni Williams, Atlantic

Trimaine McCollough, Edgewater

January Miller, University

2nd Team

Sydnei McCaskill, Dr. Phillips

Jordan Mosley, Timber Creek

Rickeya Williams, Agape

Jalessa Blue, Leesburg

Jamie Kaplan, Florida Air Academy

3rd Team

Hannah Schaible, Dr. Phillips

Monique Bunk, Olympia

Kadesia Johnson, Poinciana

Brianna Wright, Titusville

Alexis Prince, Edgewater

Honorable Mention – Joy Brown, Evans; Akia Davis, Titusville; Nina Guillame, Colonial; Latasha Kennerson, South Sumter; Sarah Taylor, Lake Mary;

Amir Davis, Titusville; Bailey Florin, Boone; Vosha Gordon, DeLand; Erin Horn, East River; Treva Mason, West Orange; Tyeshia Moore, DeLand; Kat Ortolani, Father Lopez; Ashley Perry, Leesburg; Kyndal Skersick, Boone; Destiny Woodard, New Smyrna Beach

Resources
BHSN Staff

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

 

 

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.  

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

  

Title dream deferred, February 26, 2011

Leesburg High School's Ashley Perry (32) blocks a shot by Lakewood High's Schineice Beamon (1) in the first quarter of their Florida State High School Athletic Association semifinals game Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at The Lakeland Center. Lakewood beat Leesburg 48-31.

LAKELAND

Frank Jolley

frankjolley@dailycommercial.com 

They came. They played. They left -- too quick. 

For the Leesburg High School girls basketball team, Friday's appearance in the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 4A state semifinals had the makings for a storybook ending. Instead, it ended with dejection and disappointment. 

The Yellow Jackets were bounced from the tournament after a 48-31 loss to St. Petersburg Lakewood, who will face Pensacola at noon today for the Class 4A state championship. 

While admitting that his team didn't play well enough to win, Leesburg coach Mark Oates believes the Yellow Jackets have the talent to play for a state championship, even though they will have to wait for at least another season to prove it. 

Friday's game was the third state semifinals game for Leesburg in the last five years, but it also was the third straight loss in their opening game. 

"Frankly, I'm getting tired of coming down to Lakeland and leaving after just one game," a solemn Oates said after Friday's loss. "I don't want to be the first team interviewed after a game. The winning team goes second, and that's where I'd like to be. For whatever reason, we always seem to play our worst games in Lakeland. 

"These girls are so much better than they played today." 

Not only were the players and coaches disappointed with Friday's outcome, a large contingent of fans who made the 60-plus mile trek from Leesburg also fought with their postgame emotions. 

According to Principal Bill Miller, about 100 students and more than 20 staff members from the school rode buses to the game. Countless other fans, including parents of the players, drove their own vehicles. 

Leesburg High School guard Baylie Bridges, right, listens as Coach Mark Oates describes her team's 48-31 loss to Lakewood High School at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A basketball semifinals Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at The Lakeland Center.

The Yellow Jackets faithful arrived early, and set up camp behind the bench. Leesburg was so well supported that its fans filled the seating area behind both benches, forcing St. Petersburg Lakewood supporters to sit on the opposite side of the building. 

Leesburg fans dressed for their role as fans and supporters, decked out in orange and black clothing. Many also brought signs, demonstrating their support for the team. 

"It's a sad day, because Leesburg should've won this game," said Regina Browder, who called in sick and drove from Fruitland Park for the game. "They've played so well this year, and deserve to be the state champions, but it's not going to happen. Not this year, at least. (St. Petersburg) Lakewood is a good team , but I still think we're better. 

Saddened by a 48-31 loss to Lakewood High School, Leesburg High forward Jaleesa Blue, left, and guard Ashley Perry listen as Coach Mark Oates describes the game after the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A basketball semifinals Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at The Lakeland Center. Blue, who will graduate this year, said she had hoped to finish her last season with a state championship.

"I'm disappointed -- as I'm sure the girls are -- but Leesburg will be back and get another chance. When they do come back, I'll be here to see it, too," Browder said. 

After the game, the emotions of the day stained the faces of the Yellow Jackets. Eyes were red and puffy when they met the media for postgame interviews, as the reality of the outcome began to sink in. 

Players who are normally boisterous and lively were quiet and withdrawn. 

"We just picked a bad time to play our worst game of the season," sophomore guard Joharra Russell said. "For some reason, we quit doing the things we did all season to get to Lakeland. I don't know why. I don't know if any of us know ..." 

Leesburg High School Embroidered Women's Long-Sleeve Denim Shirt

Perhaps to take the pressure off his young players, who were forced to answer tough questions in a difficult situation, Oates offered a "pick-me-up" comment to his players and the community. 

"I'm blessed to coach some young ladies," Oates said. "I love every one of them. I love the community we live in, and the support it gives us. Our program wouldn't be what it is without that support. 

"Everyone who is a Yellow Jacket is disappointed right now, but our goal is to come back to Lakeland next and get past the first game. We want to start staying in Lakeland for an extra day," he said.

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowladyjacketsbasketball.com

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

 

 

Leesburg girls basketball scoring leaders listed

Leesburg girls basketball scoring leaders listed

 

by Joe Williams on December, 13 2010 

There are three players on this year’s Leesburg girls basketball team who rank among the top 15 scorers at the school during the eight years Mark Oates has been the Yellow Jackets head coach.

Leading the list of current players is junior Baylie Bridges, who finished up last week with 709 career points, placing her seventh on the list. One spot behind Bridges is senior Jaleesa Blue, who has signed with FAMU, at 701 points. Also on the list is sophomore Ashley Perry, who is 12^th  with 401.

Pearl Johnson, who helped Leesburg to the state tournament in 2007 and ‘08 is the leading scorer, with 1,413 points. Two of her teammates on those teams, Angie Felton and Tenia Manuel, are third and fourth on the list with 1,150 and 1,117 points, respectively. No 2 is Sharece Taft, a 2006 graduate, with 1,283 points.

Resources
Joe Williams
Orlando Sentinel


Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

The Leesburg High School girls basketball team is heading to Lakeland!

Lady Jackets 2nd leading scorer junior Baylie Bridges and leading scorer sophomore sensation Ashley Perry

LADY JACKETS EARN 5TH STATE FINAL FOUR TRIP

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

February 19, 2011
 

Land O' Lakes - The Yellow Jackets rode a ferocious defensive effort in the second Saturday to a 61-49 win against Land O' Lakes in the Class 4A-Region 2 Championship Game. The Lady Jackets overcame a determined and hard working Land O Lakes team. The Lady Gators came ready to play and gave Leesburg all that it could handle but in the end the Lady Jackets prevailed. The win earned Leesburg its third state semifinal appearance in five years.

St. Petersburg Lakewood advanced to Friday's state semifinals with a 61-48 win against Naples Barron Collier.

“These kids set that as their goal back in the spring,” Leesburg coach Mark Oates said. “I promised this senior class that before they left we would get back to Lakeland.”

Leading the way for the Lady Jackets was sophomore sensation Ashley Perry with 17 points and 6 steals. Perry will follow in her grandfather Mathis Walker (starting point guard Leesburg 1977 State Boys Championship Team) and Father Bill Perry (starting guard Eustis High 1991 Class 2A State Championship Game) footsteps earning a trip to the State Basketball Final Four.

Baylie Bridges had 14 points and 4 steals.

Florida A&M signee Jaleesa Blue knocked in 13 points and pulled down 13 boards along with 3 blocks, 5 steals and 4 assists.

Lady Jackets sophomore guard had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals

Sophomore Joharra Russell had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. She was also responsible for the primary defense on Land O Lakes best player, point guard Shanel Sweet who finished with 20 points but wore down at the end. Russell's is the second in her family to earn a trip to Lakeland. Russell's 1st cousin former Lady Jackets standout LaToya Foster was a starter on the Lady Jackets 2007 and 2008 Final Four teams.

Lady Jackets Junior guard Reiana Carter

Junior Guard Reiana Carter is second member of her family to earn a trip down to Lakeland. Carter's sister Sherita Carter was a member of the 2007 Final Four Team.

Shaundrea Caldwell chipped in with four points and two rebounds off the bench.

Ashley Lanier dropped in three points, but also grabbed six rebounds and six steals.

The Lady Jackets found their shooting touch in the third quarter coupled with a suffocating defense ended Land O'Lakes' hopes of a State Tournament appearance Saturday night as the Gators fell in the Class 4A region finals.  Saturday's game was only the second time the Lady Gators had reached the Elite Eight. Land O'Lakes were trying to become the first team from Pasco county to reach the final four in 25 years.

"No one expected us to get this far," Land O'Lakes coach Laurie Tyszko said. "We played our hearts out."

The Lady Jackets displayed the type of relentless defense that Mark Oates teams have a reputation for statewide. Leesburg (23-6) forced 26 turnovers in the win.  If Land O' Lakes (24-3) was able to get the ball across half court, it was a small success. Once the ball got over half court the Lady Gators were to tired to get into a offensive rhythm.

"The third quarter has been big for us all year," Leesburg coach Mark Oates said. "We should have exploded in the first quarter, but we missed 11 layups in the first half."

Leesburg came out and displayed it's offensive firepower early going up 7-0 in the first stanza. The Gators, however, would not lay down and came back to take a 13-11 first-quarter lead thanks in big part to sophomore Simone Brown's eight points.

Brown, finished with 17 points. The Gators' leading scorer, senior Shanel Sweet, finished with 20 points despite coming up empty in the first quarter. Sweet found it difficult to get into a offensive flow with Lady Jackets sophomore guard Joharra Russell applying smothering defense on her. Visibly fatigued after the first half, Brown, Sweet and the rest of the Gators were forced into playing the fast break.

"We wanted to turn up the defense and try to take (Sweet) out of the game, and I think we did that," Yellow Jackets coach Mark Oates said.

The Lady Gators were outscored 18-8 in the third quarter and never recovered.

"In the second half, we wanted to play full court on (Sweet) and make her expend energy," Oates said. "I thought she wore down as the game went on and that was the game plan. Just like the old saying, 'If you cut off the head, the body will follow.' "

"I knew it was coming," Tyszko said of Leesburg's second-half onslaught. "Shantel told me at halftime she had nothing left to give."

Game Box Score

Article provided by:

www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

Resources

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

February 19, 2011

About the Author 

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.

Lake and Sumter schools focus on girls state basketball tournaments

SOPHOMORE SENSATION ASHLEY PERRY LEAD ALL LADY JACKETS SCORERS AVERAGING 13.7 A GAME

Liberty Christian already is there, Leesburg and South Sumter can earn state berths Saturday

By Joe Williams, Orlando Sentinel

February 17, 2011

Leesburg and Bushnell South Sumter each are one win away from making return trips to next week's FHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament at the Lakeland Civic Center.

Class 4A Leesburg (22-6) will be looking to return to state for the first time since 2008 and 3A South Sumter (27-1) is looking to head back for the first time since 2001.

Both teams will have to win on the road.

Leesburg, No. 10 in the Sentinel's Super 16, will have to beat Land O' Lakes (23-2) and South Sumter, No. 15 in the Super 16, will have to get past Port Orange Atlantic (20-7), No. 11 in the Super 16. Both region final games begin at 7 p.m.

Making Money With With Facebook and Facebook Ads Has Never Been Easier!

"I think we are finally playing within ourselves," Leesburg coach Mark Oates said. "We are doing a better job of doing the things that we have to do to win. I thought last night [a 52-36 victory over Gainesville Eastside in the region semifinal] may have been our best defensive effort of the season and we did a much better job of rebounding "

Meanwhile, Tavares Liberty Christian already advanced to the Florida Christian School Conference state tournament in Clearwater with a 38-32 victory Tuesday night over Land O' Lakes Christian.

The Eagles (19-3), making their second FCSC state appearance in the past three years, met Sarasota Christian (21-0) in Thursday night's semifinal game. They went into the game knowing that a victory would put them in the state championship game for the first time . The state final will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon in Clearwater.

"This group was all eighth- and ninth-graders when I took over the team five years ago," Liberty coach Dave Norris said. "We only have four seniors on this team and the bench consists of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. But this is the most coachable group of players I have ever had."

Norris, who is retiring after this season, has watched the program rebound. A year before he became the head coach, the team was 0-20. His first year it went 4-18. But in the past four years it has compiled a 82-16 record.

Three seniors have formed the nucleus of the team over Norris' years.

The Eagles are led by 5-7 senior center Kimberly Vilchez, averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists a game. She also is connecting on 59 percent of her shots from beyond the 3-point arc. Senior point guard Krista Cunningham, averages 8 points and 9 assists a game and senior power forward Keri-Anne Bowden averages 12 rebounds a game.

South Sumter rode the steady play of Latasha Kennerson and Katura Harrison to a 60-46 victory over Newberry in its region semifinal Tuesday. Kennerson had 31 points, 12 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists in the victory. Harrison added a double-double herself with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

Leesburg players Ashley Perry and Jaleesa Blue also put up big numbers for the Yellow Jackets in their region semifinal. Perry had 18 points, 7 rebounds and Blue, who has signed with FAMU, had 12 points and 17 rebounds.

"I think the difference is that Jaleesa has really stepped up the second half of the season," Oates said. "She has been a demon on the glass. I still don't think we have seen her best offensive effort, yet. Ashley Lanier [16 rebounds] also has been doing a good job rebounding for us.

"You want to be playing your best basketball at this time of the season and I think we are."

jrwilliams@tribune.com or 352-742-5921. Read Joe Williams' blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/varsityblog. Sign up for the Varsity sports newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/joinus.

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