Windermere Prep boys basketball falls in Class 3A state championship game, 67-57

For the second straight season, the Windermere Prep boys basketball team fell in the 2023-24 FHSAA Class 3A state championship game on March 1 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland to Riveria Prep (25-8). 

This season, despite good showings from its top players: Brandon Bass Jr. scoring 18 points, Sinan Huan grabbing seven rebounds, blocking four shots, to go along with 14 points and Samuel Shoptaw dishing out five assists, gathering four boards and adding 13 points, the Lakers still fell to Bulldogs, 67-57. 

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Two key factors in the loss were: Windermere Prep falling into foul trouble early and often and an injury to key rotation player Jordan Ford, keeping him sidelined in the title game.

The Lakers finished its 2023-24 campaign with a 24-8 record, a District 6 championship, and a Region 2 championship to go along with its state runner-up medals. Bass led the team in scoring with 20.6 points per game, while Huan anchored the defense with 8.8 rebounds a game and 4.6 blocks. Shoptaw, a transfer point guard, was the floor general for the Lakers leading them with six assists a night while adding 6.6 boards and 9.7 points. 

If this group returns next season for coach Brian Hoff, expect them to be competing for a state crown again come next March and if they can find or develop one or two more key pieces to add depth to its talented rotation the Lakers might just be hoisting the state championship trophy. 

Sam Albuquerque is the Sports Editor for the Orange Observer. Please contact him with story ideas, results and statistics.

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