In fact, the Spartans keep tabs of these highlight-worthy baskets on their Twitter account. Dubbed the “Slam Pony Express,” Lakewood players have accounted for 77 dunks this season.

But in the final minute, it took a defensive play by Spartans senior Amare Garrett to seal fourth-seeded Lakewood’s 44-41 upset of No. 1 Tampa Catholic in a Class 2M region semifinal thriller.

Tampa Catholic ended the Spartans season in 2 OTs in 2020 Lakewood High School football coach Cory Moore is going for back-to-back championships. “I haven’t worn it to school yet,” he said.

Lakewood’s last appearance in the state semifinals was in 2019, a loss against Booker T. Washington Senior High School. Spartans head coach Cory Moore hopes the law of averages says this is ...