Story
Boys Basketball: Palm Beach Lakes advances with win over Lake Worth
Thursday, February 14, 2013
by
Steve Dorsey
There seems to be something special brewing at Floyd Andrews Gymnasium, and it has the feeling of the good old days when Palm Beach Lakes was a boys basketball team to reckon with every year.
On Thursday night, the Rams disposed of Lake Worth to the tune of 74-55 in the first round of the Class 7A regional playoffs, ending one of the best seasons for Lake Worth in recent memory.
The victory moves Palm Beach Lakes (21-3) into Tuesday's semifinal round of the regional playoffs where the Rams will host Royal Palm Beach, which Lakes recently beat in the district finals.
It's just the second regional playoff win for Lakes since 2007. Lake Worth was bidding for its first regional playoff win since 1999.
Sophomore guard Quincy Rideau was the spark-plug for Lakes in the first half, scoring 14 of his team-high 17 points in the first two quarters. Senior guard Quinn Cole came off the bench and tallied all 16 of his points in the second half when Palm Beach Lakes gradually pulled away from the Trojans (22-6) and earned its berth in the next round.
Palm Beach Lakes scored the game's first nine points, but Lake Worth responded and trailed by only five points at the end of the first quarter. Palm Beach Lakes led 36-28 at the intermission in a first half that had an uptempo pace and included scoring spurts by both teams.
Lake Worth narrowed Lakes' lead to 36-31 early in the third quarter when Aaron Horne, the Trojans' leading scorer, completed a three-point play for his first points of the game.
Lakes' transition offense and hustling defense staked the Rams to a 60-44 lead by the end of the third quarter, the biggest lead of the game to that point. Lakes stretched the advantage to 20 points midway through the fourth quarter after back-to-back baskets by Cole.
Lakes coach Lorenzo Hands said his team is playing its best basketball at the right time.
"You can attribute that to the fact our defense is picking up its intensity and the guys are sharing the ball," Hands said. "I'm pleased with what we're doing."
Sophomore Kamil Williams added 10 points for Lakes. Horne was the only Lake Worth player in double digits with 10 points.
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User Comments:
Basketball Bob commented on February 14, 2013 at 9:56 p.m.: report abuse
Steve Dorsey - get your FACTS before reporting: Palm Beach Lakes won their regional game last year beating Lake Worth during the first round. So, no it's not Lakes' first win in regional playoffs since 2007. I know you are semi retired but try to stay up to date. :)
Fact Check commented on February 14, 2013 at 10:03 p.m.: report abuse
This story says Lakes hasn't won a regional game since 2007... didn't the Rams beat Lake Worth in the regional quarterfinal last year also? I'm pretty sure they did! They then lost to Atlantic in the semifinal for a chance to play Ely to go up state. PB Post... let's stay on point with the info, afterall, that was only a year ago!
Basketball Bob commented on February 14, 2013 at 10:24 p.m.: report abuse
@Fact Check - u and I are both right. Lakes beat lake worth by 5 last year in the quarterfinal then lost to Atlantic - who lost tonight to Royal Palm tonight. The Rams win by 24 tonight - that's what I call improvement from a year ago! HAHA. Next up, RPB.
Steve Dorsey commented on February 15, 2013 at 12:21 a.m.: report abuse
Thanks for correcting my mistake Basketball Bob. I checked the FHSAA website archives after the game and it had Palm Beach Lakes 0-1 in last year's playoffs, which is incorrect. Rams did indeed beat Lake Worth in first round last year. Since we're editing each other, I must point out that your math is incorrect, however. Lakes won by 19, not 24 points (74-55). Wanna call it a draw?!!!!
LAKES ON TOP commented on February 15, 2013 at 12:26 a.m.: report abuse
PBL BACK ON TOP!! so all ban wagon people stay away we are fully loaded with young humble youth, the perfect recipe for a state championship. But no matter what we accomplish the palm beach post nor spectators will ever give us props if it was WILLIAM T DWYER THEY MAY HAVE ADDED A COUPLE POINTS TO THE STORY . all in all (we all we got) rams on top RAM PRIDE!!!
Home Team commented on February 15, 2013 at 8:56 a.m.: report abuse
umm it says there SECOND not first regional playoff win, but congrats Lakes!!!!
Money Mike commented on February 15, 2013 at 10:15 a.m.: report abuse
All you Lakes lovers, they haven't done anything yet!!!! They just beat up on some local teams, mind you there's Ely in the next round!!!! Beat them or anyone outside of Palm Beach County and then talk to me!!!
Keep lookin ahead commented on February 15, 2013 at 11:26 a.m.: report abuse
PB Lakes best enjoy it now cause Royal Palm coming to win when it matter. We in playoff mode see how we, shut down Atlantic . our boyz learned how to play good defence now
Basketball Bob commented on February 15, 2013 at 7:08 p.m.: report abuse
@steve Dorsey -LOL - bad math on me but it still adds up to a Ram win and a draw for us. Always enjoy your writing - it's better than my math.
LAKES ON TOP commented on February 16, 2013 at 9:42 a.m.: report abuse
Listen money mike do your research then talk to me give props when due man who's your home team I bet we beat them already and line the teams up we will show you why were on top and @keep looking ahead we shall see may the best team win
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