Unbridled joy: Mustangs basketball headed to Final Four

The Lakewood Ranch boys basketball team put some demons to rest on Friday night.

One year after the Mustangs were eliminated in the regional finals by the St. Petersburg Green Devils, they returned the favor with a 73-68 victory that sends the program to its first-ever Final Four. 

Lakewood Ranch jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead before St. Petersburg had time to blink, and though the Green Devils did wrestle control of the lead twice in the first quarter, Lakewood Ranch was in control for much of the game, at one point extending its lead to 13 points in the third quarter. St. Petersburg did threaten a comeback late, and the Mustangs didn't help themselves, missing six free throws in a row in the closing minutes before Sam Hester knocked one down. 

Hester finished with 24 points to lead Lakewood Ranch. Damien Gordon added 13 points, and Devin Twenty finished with 12. 

The team has a week to recover and shore up the little things before it takes on Sickles in a state semifinal in Lakeland. For now, the Mustangs celebrate. 

"This could not feel any better," a hoarse Hester said. "We have been working hard for four years for this moment." 

Hester added that he knew a few players on St. Petersburg, having played with them in the past. Being able to avenge last year's loss made the feeling that much sweeter, he said. 

Twenty simply could not stop beaming. 

"Joy and love for my teammates," Twenty said, trying to put his feelings into words. "Last year, they beat us, and we felt like we deserved it. To come back from that like this is awesome."