Scheduling dilemma for Heath family

Posted Mar 5, 2010 by Joey Johnston

Updated Mar 5, 2010 at 03:16 PM

LAKELAND – University of South Florida men’s basketball coach Stan Heath, sitting courtside at the Lakeland Center, was overjoyed to see his two sons, Jordan and Josh, contribute to Tampa Prep’s 49-48 victory against Port St. Joe in Friday’s Class 2A state semifinals.

Then he immediately realized his scheduling problem.

When Tampa Prep faces Jacksonville Providence on Saturday at noon for the state championship, Heath can’t be there. At 2 p.m., USF meets Connecticut in an important Big East Conference game at the Sun Dome.

“I’m going to call the Big East and see if we can get our game moved,’’ Heath said, jokingly.

Heath said he would follow Tampa Prep’s progress from the Sun Dome locker room on TBO.com’s live blog.

Heath’s wife, Ramona, will attend Tampa Prep’s game, then dash to Tampa for USF-UConn.

“It’s going to be kind of a stressful day,’’ she said. “But an exciting day.’’

Jordan Heath, a senior, and Josh Heath, a freshman, said they are accustomed to conflicting schedules due to their father’s coaching responsibilities.

“What can you do?’’ Jordan Heath said. “It would be great to have him here. We got bad luck on the schedule. I’m just hoping Tampa Prep wins and USF wins. Now that would make for a great day.’’

Against Port St. Joe, Jordan Heath had five points and two rebounds. Josh Heath didn’t score, but he had three rebounds, two steals and one assist.