Naples Turns Tables on Trojans

When Naples and Lely met up Thursday night, it was kind of like the old days for the city’s oldest high schools. The Naples gym was packed. The vociferous crowd seemed to ignite the players on the court. But after leading by 10 points or more for three quarters, Lely fell to a gritty finish by the Golden Eagles, who outscored the Trojans 28-15 in the fourth quarter to slip away with a 69-60 win. 

“Second half, man,” a disappointed Fritz Jacques said following the game. “We turned the ball over. We ain’t making free throws. One of my seniors missed six free throws. We’re missing layups. We let them speed us up a little bit for no reason. Way too many mistakes on our part.” 

Naples changed the game’s momentum when they took their first lead, 41-38, at the close of the third quarter. It seemed to break the Trojans’ spirit, as they trailed the rest of the way. 

The Trojans were led by sophomore Branden Baptiste with 24 points, their only player in double figures. Naples was paced by senior Adrian Llamo with 27 points. He hit five threes and scored 13 points in the decisive fourth quarter. 

The Trojans, 7-9, started slowly, with a depleted roster as many key players were involved in the football team’s playoff run. Lely is 7-5 since the second week of December. Things don’t get easier for the Trojans. 

"I tell them,” Jacques said, “it doesn't get easier, man. We're going to have to suck it up tonight and then go back to work." 

Fritz said his rugged regular season prepares his team for tournament time. 

"It builds us,” he said, “gets us ready for what the ultimate goal is, the district title. We're going to have to find a way to beat a very well-coached, talented Barron team. I feel like this is preparation."