Lakewood players and coaches were honored Thursday afternoon by the St. Petersburg City Council for its appearance in the Class 5A state semifinals. Council member Wengay Newton introduced the team during the weekly council meeting and presented the Spartans with certificates of appreciation.
Lakewood coach Cory Moore then spoke to the council members before handing out certificates to the 33 players in attendance. As each player received their certificates, they shared fist bumps with some of the council members.
“Any team that can make it to the state tournament in this state has done something really worthy,’’ said council member Charlie Gerdes, who was an athlete at Bishop Barry (now St. Petersburg Catholic). “Even though I did not go to your school, you are St. Petersburg. You represent our city and you represented us with pride. You should be proud of what you did.’’
Council member Bill Dudley, a former wrestling and football coach at Northeast, also shared words of encouragement, as did Leslie Curran and Mayor Bill Foster.
The Spartans made it to the Class 5A state semifinals for the first time in school history. Lakewood lost 40-38 to Green Cove Springs Clay on Friday night. It was 10-3 this season.