Mustangs on the Map

With the roller coaster of emotions having finished its ride, Lakewood Ranch seniors Kailyn Scully, Elise Spiller and Kyra Klarkowski huddled together at center court one final time. 

Their tears gave way to laughter as the Mustangs’ trio, who helped turn a mostly recreational basketball program into a state championship contender, reflected on just how far they had come. 

They were the Class 7A state runner-up Feb. 20, having fallen to Winter Haven 44-28 in the state championship game at The Lakeland Center. 

“It’s amazing to have been able to get this far,” Scully said. “Second in the state is a huge accomplishment. We went out with a bang, and I’m proud of my team.

“This season has been an incredible experience that I will never forget. I couldn’t have asked anything more from my teammates.” 

Four years ago, Lakewood Ranch barely had enough girls to field a squad, and the thought of getting fans in the stands seemed like an impossible dream. The players' parents were the only people in the stands. But that same season, the Mustangs won their first district title and the race was on. Success was on the horizon. 

Consider that coach Tina Hadley's team had to practice outdoors at times that first season. But since that season, the Mustangs have reached the regional tournament every season. 

Following the disappointment of not making the Final Four last season, the Mustangs entered 2015-16 with a renewed focus using the hashtag Unfinished Business as motivation. 

The wins piled up and the Mustangs climbed to No. 2 in Class 7A. Eventually, Lakewood Ranch finished with just four losses. In the postseason, a poor effort cost them the district championship. 

With each loss, Lakewood Ranch came back stronger. In the post-season, the Mustangs won three straight road games to capture their first regional championship and advance to the Final Four for the first time in school history. 

Behind the support of two fan buses and an energetic mascot named Klumpy, Lakewood Ranch arrived at The Lakeland Center Feb. 19 with high expectations. Thanks in large part to Spiller’s defensive effort, the Mustangs advanced one step closer to their ultimate goal, knocking off Niceville 47-29 in the state semifinals.
With the win, Lakewood earned a coveted rematch with Winter Haven, which beat them 49-48 in overtime to close out the regular season. 

The Mustangs were making their first Final Four appearance while the Blue Devils, winners of three state titles, were making their sixth state championship appearance in seven years. 

It didn’t take long for the nervousness of competing on the state’s biggest stage to set in for Lakewood Ranch. The Mustangs fell behind early, as they did during the regular season, but this time they were unable to recover. 

For Scully, Spiller and Klarkowski, being able to close out their high school career playing for a state championship was more than they could’ve imagined. 

“The fact that I got to spend my last game as a Mustang fighting for the state title was so rewarding, and I felt like it was almost the perfect ending to my four years playing at Lakewood Ranch,” Scully said. 

Spiller agreed. 

“This season has meant the world to me,” Spiller said. “The fact that the last game was the state championship is indescribable.” 

The Mustangs, who finished the season 26-6, have a solid nucleus returning. 

Leading scorer LaDazhia Williams returns along with fellow junior Aleah Robinson, who was unable to play this season due to injury, and sophomores India Searls, who made her presence known during the postseason, and twin guards Sarah and Emma Fazio. Lakewood Ranch's junior varsity hasn’t lost in two years. 

“The transformation of this program over the past four years has been tremendous,” Klarkowski said. “We have now put girls basketball at Lakewood Ranch on the map. We have made it relevant and people love to watch us compete.”