Tampa Prep’s opponent: Star-studded

Posted Mar 5, 2010 by Joey Johnston

Updated Mar 5, 2010 at 03:13 PM

LAKELAND – Jacksonville Providence coach Jim Martin grew up in Tampa and played for Robinson High School’s state-contending teams from 1975-77.

Now he’s playing for his first state championship – against a team from Tampa.

Providence (30-1), ranked 15th nationally in the ESPN Rise Fab 50 poll, faces Tampa Prep (25-4) for the Class 2A state title on Saturday at the Lakeland Center. Tip-off is noon.

“Crazy, isn’t it?’’ said Martin, 50, who played for Jacksonville University and has remained in the city since his college graduation, except for a stint in the military. “But it’s not about me. It’s about the kids. I’m happiest for the kids.’’

Martin, in his 10th season at Providence (243-53 record), has a star-studded lineup.

It includes 6-foot-5 senior wing Stacey Poole Jr., bound for the University of Kentucky, whose father, Stacey Sr., was an All-SEC performer for the Florida Gators.

It features 6-9 senior center Patric Young, committed to play for Coach Billy Donovan’s Gators.

Another leader is 6-1 senior guard Alex Bodney, who will play for Eckerd College.

“Before the season, people were saying, ‘There’s not enough basketballs to satisfy all the players on that team,’ ‘’ Bodney said. “But I think we’ve proven we can play together and we’re all about one goal – winning the state title.’’

Because of Providence’s high-profile recruits and its national ranking, the Stallions have been on a collision course with state-title hopes all season long. A major hurdle was crossed Friday morning with a 52-37 semifinal victory against Weston Sagemont, which featured 7-foot Fab Melo (committed to Syracuse) and 6-6 Will Sheehey (Indiana).

“It doesn’t matter what your (press) clippings say, it’s about what happens on the court,’’ Poole said. “If we can get one more win, this will be a perfect season for us. We need one more to be state champions. I know they (Tampa Prep) won’t be favored to beat us, but those things don’t matter at this stage. It’s all about who plays the best.’’