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Dragons Get First-Hand Lesson

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Lake Placid senior Travalier Sholtz drives right down the middle for a bucket during the first quarter of Friday's game against Martin County.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: November 30, 2008

Updated: 11/30/2008 01:22 am

LAKE PLACID - All teams are not created equal in the realm of high school basketball, and the Lake Placid Green Dragons had a subtle, but purposeful agenda during their match-up against Class 5A powerhouse Martin County on Friday night.

"We knew Martin County was an explosive team and we were long shots to win this game," said LP head coach David Veley. "But that doesn't mean we couldn't take advantage of the situation and spin it in our favor down the line."

The Green Dragons were picked apart by the speed and sound fundamentals of the Tigers, as Martin County promptly rode a 14-point run during the first quarter en route to a 103-45 victory over Lake Placid.

Yet, the players and their coach didn't seemed phased by the experience as they strolled off the court with their own little secret that they're waiting to spring on their Class 3A district foes.

"We came into this game with the idea that we were going to take everything that Martin County had and compete with them at our best," said Lake Placid's Travalier Sholtz. "Martin County is the best team we're going to face this season, and at the very least, we can take away the knowledge and experience that we can use in our quest for a district title."

Coach Veley confirmed the game plan Sholtz laid out.

"We're going to be a better team after facing Martin County," Veley said. "I told our team that they're not much different than you physically. They're just a team loaded with seniors that are fundamentally sound and have the chemistry that they hope to attain one day as a team.

"Martin County challenged our guys like no other team will this season and we hope that it will serve us well against teams like Sebring, who plays a similar physical and up-tempo brand of basketball."

The Tigers had six players in double figures led by Tia Harris with 19 points and Quamain Fureman with 16 points, which included a trio of 3-pointers against the Green Dragons.

Martin County's quickness to the ball and anticipation was the key to the huge victory, as the Tigers racked up 18 steals and turned the majority of the LP turnovers into easy baskets while building a 37-12 first quarter lead.

Lake Placid wasn't without bright spots, as freshman Deondre Chisolm wormed his way through the Martin County defense to score six first-quarter points, including a beautiful reverse layup that got him out of harm's way.

Kirk Veley made his presence felt by scoring all 10 of his points in the second quarter. He moved the ball around the perimeter and took advantage of some open looks when the Martin County defense seemed lax against him.

"I've been working hard on my shot and I felt really comfortable during that stretch," Kirk Veley said. "I knew coming in against them that if we could push the ball up the floor that we could get some scoring opportunities and we were able to take advantage of those chances."

Several snapshots from the game showed that when Lake Placid's players moved without the ball and set screens that they were able to penetrate Martin County's ferocious defense.

"I thought we played a very physical team tonight and we gave as good as we got," coach Veley said. "I wanted this team to see how we need to play every night. I wanted them to go out and set screens that mean something and don't just go through the motions.

"I guarantee you that if we get into the regional playoffs, this is exactly the type of team that we're going to be facing."

The Green Dragons witnessed an offensive statement in the final quarter as the Tigers were clicking on all cylinders and outscored the home team 42-13 to take the score over the century mark.

Lake Placid's Andre Wilson, Chisolm and Veley each scored 10 points on the night, while Sholtz finished with eight points against the Tigers.

The Green Dragons are back on the court on Monday when they travel to face Okeechobee. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Martin County 103, Lake Placid 45

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com

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