If Tampa Prep Head Coach Joe Fenlon appears to be living a real-life version of the movie “Groundhog Day” it’s because he is. His eighth trip to Lakeland and the Terrapins fourth consecutive final four appearance may have given him reason to believe that someday (soon he hopes) the monotony will end though. Tampa Prep was able to avenge their 2010 loss in the finals to Providence out of Jacksonville with a 56-50 Overtime thriller on Tuesday Night at the Lakeland Center in front of a small, but very raucous bipartisan crowd. The Terrapins were led by Josh Heath’s 21 points and relentless ability to create shots off his dribble-drive penetration, needing every ounce of the Jr.’s a leadership and ball-handling prowess with Sr. Devontae Morgan having fouled out at the end of regulation.
“We were very fortunate to come out with a win tonight. That was an unbelievable game.” said an extremely relieved, but customarily calm Fenlon sitting next to his players at the podium. “We put ourselves in a hole early, we made the adjustments we needed to make and they as well. In the end, we simply did what we had to do.”
The Terrapins have actually avenged losses against both teams that have ended their seasons in 2010 and 2011 the last two weeks (Providence and First Academy). Fenlon believes that the quick turn around from Saturday essentially giving them one day to prepare for the Stallions was a bit of an obstacle to say the least, but he credits his players moxie and calm under fire attitude that was the deciding factor down the stretch. Things were looking shaky following the 3rd Quarter in which the Stallions outscored the Terps 11-4 and kept Providence ahead consistently by at least 6 points well into the 4th. Along with some timely runs and aggressive halfcourt defense that forced Providence into some uncharacteristic turnovers, the Terrapins were able to exploit the centimeter crack in the door they needed to bust it wide open in the end outscoring Providence 8-2 in OT.
“It was pretty much what we expected. We were prepared and we certainly gave it our best shot.” Providence HC Jim Martin said. “We certainly didn’t want to go up and down with them, which is what sort of happened in spurts which killed us. They’re (Tampa Prep) a team that really feeds off turning forced turnovers from their 2-1-2 fullcourt press into points.”
The Stallions had four guys in double-figures led by University of North Florida Signee Cameron Naylor’s 16 points. Junior Luke Ridley and Sr. Tyler Martin (son of HC) added 11 a piece, while Sophomore Grayson Allen chiiped in with 10. The Stallions finish the season at 26-3.
Tampa Prep faces Sagemont who were victorious over Shorecrest Prep by a 71-49 margin on Thursday at 10:05am. Sagemont are the defending 2A State Champions. If the Terrapins are to prevail, it will take another selfless effort which he’s come to expect of his players without even asking.
“This started on Halloween, on October 31st and it hasn’t slowed one bit. I’ve been fortunate enough to have kids willing to give up something in order to gain even more down the road. Because they believe.”