- November 24, 2024
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The Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team will make its first Final Four appearance Feb. 19 when the Mustangs face Niceville in the Class 7A state semifinals, at 10 a.m., inside the Lakeland Center.
Here are the 11 girls who will be suiting up for the Mustangs looking to bring a state championship back to Lakewood.
No. 2 Sarah Fazio
Sophomore guard, 5-foot-0
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was excited because we won.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 55
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Determined
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? “Diamonds Dancing” by Drake featuring Future
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? When we complain about having to run 10 laps.
What would you say is your role on this team? A leader
No. 3 Emma Fazio
Sophomore guard, 5-foot-0
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was fired up. It’s the first time in history we got this far.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 61
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Focused
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? “Diamonds Dancing” by Drake featuring Future
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? When we act like India (Searls).
What would you say is your role on this team? To be a spark plug
No. 5 Kailyn Scully
Senior point guard, 5-foot-7 (captain)
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was so happy I cried. Since freshman year, my goal has been to take my team to states, so it’s nice that our hard work paid off.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 62
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Insane
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? I listen to a lot of Eminem.
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? How much we good around. Sometimes it can get pretty crazy. Sometimes she’ll walk in and we’re on the floor tackling each other and play fighting with pillows.
What would you say is your role on this team? Motivator
No. 10 Rhiannon Jacobson
Junior wing, 5-foot-8
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? It was just a really surreal moment. All of our hard work paid off and allowed us to get this far. Even talking about it now, it’s just amazing to me.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 56
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Relentless
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? We listen to a lot of “High School Musical.”
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? Not boxing out
What would you say is your role on this team? When I get in the game, I try to take as many good shots as possible. If I’m not having a good shooting game, then I try to play good defense and allow my other teammates to score.
No. 11 India Searls
Sophomore strong forward, 5-foot-9
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? It was dream like. It was surreal.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 62
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Confident
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? “Diamonds Dancing” by Drake featuring Future
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? Calling her Tina B
What would you say is your role on this team? To be a threat on the floor
No. 12 Aleah Robinson
Junior strong forward, 5-foot-9
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was proud because this team fought through and ended up with a win.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 47
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Animated
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? “Diamonds Dancing” by Drake featuring Future
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? When I sing. I don’t know why. It’s angelic.
What would you say is your role on this team? To get everybody excited for the game, pumped up and to keep positive.
No. 20 Elise Spiller
Senior guard, 5-foot-8 (captain)
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I cried. It’s a goal we’ve been striving for forever. We’ve talked a lot about doing this, and now we are here.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 70
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Determined
What’s the number one jam on your playlist when getting ready for games? “My Moment” by DJ Drama
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? We try to hug her.
What would you say is your role on this team? A leader in general — someone who runs the plays, calms everyone down and knows the game plan.
No. 21 Jordan Ward
Junior guard, 5-foot-4
No. 22 Kyra Klarkowski
Senior guard, 5-foot-8
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was excited, but I wasn’t really surprised. I expected us to make it there. We should’ve made it, so there were no surprises here.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 57
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Goofy
What’s the number one jam on your playlist to get ready for games? “Jumpman” by Drake. It’s in the beginning pre-game CD. It gets everyone dancing and having a good time.
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? There are so many things. We call ourselves the smartest-dumbest team. We are so smart in the classroom, but sometimes on the court and in practice we just draw a blank. She just looks at us.
What would you say is your role on this team? I would say the energy and excitement that I bring to the court. I get everybody going.
No. 23 LaDazhia Williams
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was happy that we finally made it. I don’t know how to explain it.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 60
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Hardworking
What’s the number one jam on your playlist to get ready for games? “Diamonds Dancing” by Drake featuring Future
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? When we touch her.
What would you say is your role on this team? To be a leader
No. 33 Kwinci Gooch
Junior center, 5-foot-10
What was your Reaction when you learned you were going to the Final Four? I was pumped and ready for the next level of practices.
How many points will Lakewood Ranch score versus Niceville? 65
If you had to describe the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team in one word, what would it be? Resilient
What’s the number one jam on your playlist to get ready for games? “3500” by Travis Scott featuring Future
What’s the one thing that you do or someone else on the team does that irritates coach Tina Hadley the most? When we leave the balls off of the rack.
What would you say is your role on this team? To pick each other up when one’s down