John C. Cotey, Times Staff Writer
Friday, January 21, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — For 20 years, Boca Ciega's Randy Shuman and Lakewood's Dan Wright — two of Tampa Bay's all-time winningest coaches — have played chess in the area's fiercest and most competitive boys basketball rivalry.
With Wright retiring at the end of the season, they squared off one last time Friday night at St. Pete College.
And in fitting and spirited fashion, the game produced a memorable finish as Boca Ciega rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final 2:15 to take a 76-72 overtime victory.
Lakewood had a chance to win with 0.6 seconds left when senior Mike Singleton (team-high 20 points) went to the free-throw line.
Wright didn't even watch the shots. He was smiling and hugging assistant coach Dwight Lattimore, facing away from the court when the first free throw hit the front, back and side of the rim before bouncing away.
The second one clanked hard off the back of the rim.
"I had my hands up, I had the peace signs going," Wright said. "Then I turned around and it was still 66-66."
Bogie trailed 64-53 before scoring eight points in 33 seconds, the last three off a deep shot from the corner by Dallas Moore with 1:23 remaining to cut the Spartans' lead to 64-61.
D.J. White tied it at 66 with 23 seconds left on a 3-pointer. White then fouled Singleton with less than a second remaining.
"They gave us an opportunity and we didn't take advantage of it," said Wright, who's team dropped to 9-9. "I don't think our record's been this bad in 20 years. Hopefully we can do something in the playoffs."
In overtime, Lakewood freshman Jacoby Claxton, playing his first varsity game, tied things at 72 with 1:04 left, but Kenny Smith made 4-of-6 free throws the rest of the way to give the Pirates the win.
White led Bogie with 20 points, Kyonn Smith had 18 — including the first five of overtime — and Kenny Smith had 15. The Pirates are now 18-2, including 5-1 in overtime games this season.
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