Just the beginning

FORT MYERS — The Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team advanced to the regional finals for the first time in team history this season.

The Mustangs did it all on the road, defeating Countryside and Northeast on its way to a matchup with Fort Myers in the regional finals Saturday.

But the road came to an end Feb. 14, as the Lady Mustangs were defeated by Fort Myers on Saturday night, 55-51, in a game that came down to the final seconds.

Lakewood Ranch was one of eight teams left in the state in class 7A.

“We turned the ball over entirely too much,” Lakewood Ranch coach Tina Hadley said after the game. “You can’t have that many turnovers in a game like this.”

LaDazhia Williams led the team in scoring with 14 points, but was also in foul trouble for much of the second half.

“It’s a totally different game when she’s in the game,” Hadley said.

With less than one minute remaining, Lakewood Ranch tied the game at 49, but crucial turnovers allowed Fort Myers to seal the win.

Missed free throws earlier in the game also played a factor.

“Those (turnovers and missed free throws) played a huge difference in the game,” Hadley said. “If we make free throws and layups and don’t turn the ball over, it’s a different game.”

Before the regional playoffs started, Lakewood Ranch lost a close district finals game at Sarasota, which meant it would have to play every remaining game on the road.

Despite that loss, the Mustangs remained in the playoffs longer than Sarasota did, which Hadley said is a testament to how hard the team works to improve.

“Basketball is a life lesson. If you get knocked down, you have to keep getting up,” Hadley said.

With their season over, the Mustangs are already looking to next year. Every player on its roster will return.

“We’ll be back next year,” Hadley said.