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Fitzpatrick Provides Whatever King Needs

Tribune file photo by JIM REED

Fitzpatrick leads the Lions in four statistical categories - points (14.0), rebounds (11.1), blocks (4.3) and assists (2.9).

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 2, 2009

Updated: 03/02/2009 11:34 pm

TAMPA - King High senior power forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick doesn't have to be the leading scorer in every game for his team to win.

He simply does whatever is required that night.

The 6-foot-8 Fitzpatrick rebounds, blocks shots and can pass the ball better than most point guards in the area. Fitzpatrick, who has signed with Georgia Southern, leads the Lions in four statistical categories - points (14.0), rebounds (11.1), blocks (4.3) and assists (2.9).

"Toarlyn is a special player," King coach Sam Lanier said. "He does it all."

And Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Lakeland Center, he and his team face Gainesville for a chance to play for the Class 5A boys basketball state championship.

Along with leading the program to its first state tournament with 18 points during King's 87-46 win against Daytona Beach Seabreeze in the regional final Saturday, he surpassed the career 2,000-point milestone.

"That means a lot to me," Fitzpatrick said. "My legacy will still live on once I leave here."

Fitzpatrick transferred to King after his freshman season at Bradenton IMG Academy and joined a program that was coming off a 3-16 season. Labeled one of the top underclassmen in the state by Rivals.com as a sophomore, Fitzpatrick made an immediate impact on the program. The Lions finished 12-15 his sophomore year and were 15-8 last season. This season, King is 23-6 but has only lost two games on the court. The team had to forfeit its first four games after using of an ineligible player.

"This is my first year being the official captain," Fitzpatrick said. "I'm a lot more experienced."

For the third consecutive season, Fitzpatrick was named a Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association All-Star and received All-Western Conference (Hillsborough County public schools) recognition. This season, he was named the Western Conference Federal Division Player of the Year.

Amazingly, this season is Fitzpatrick's first playoff run as a high school player. At the beginning of the season, he set a goal to leave King with a district championship, but he may graduate with a title more meaningful.

"Our goal is to win a state title," Fitzpatrick said.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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