Three-Pointer Rattles Out, Ends Lely's Upset Bid

In a game that had all the trappings of a blowout, Lely (5-11) defended their home court fiercely, taking perhaps the county’s best team, First Baptist Academy (18-2), to the wire. With his team trailing 52-49 and the final seconds ticking off the clock, Lely sharpshooter Dave Louidor’s three-point attempt from deep in the corner looked good. It went in the rim, rattled back and forth three or four times, then inexplicably spun out. FBA cashed in two free throws at the end to escape with a shaky 54-49 win.

But the backstory to the game is perhaps as compelling as the action on the court Friday night. FBA’s outstanding head coach, Scott Stewart, starred for his father Don at Lely in the late 1980s before enjoying an outstanding career for the Florida Gators. Scott Stewart also enjoyed a lengthy pro career overseas.

Don Stewart is easily one of the greatest coaches in Collier County history due to his success at Lely. In 26 years as Lely’s head coach, Stewart won 456 games and eight district titles. He led the Trojans to their only state finals appearance in 1994 - and almost won it all. He was Southwest Coach of the Year a staggering 10 times.

Elijah Stewart, Scott Stewart’s son, Don’s grandson, is a star guard and captain for this year’s FBA Lions.

Lely’s 10-year head coach, Fritz Jacques, played for Don Stewart at Lely in the early 2000s. He was part of the 2004 district champion team that advanced to the Elite Eight. Don Stewart is his mentor. He looks at Scott Stewart as an older brother. Don Stewart is usually on the bench with his son Scott at FBA games.

“We’ve only played FBA two or three times,” Jacques said. "And you notice coach Don Stewart wasn’t here because these are both his teams. He still mentors me. If I call him, anything I need, they get it to me. It’s like a family atmosphere. It was like big brother versus little brother. Scott’s big brother, me the little brother. Just trying to fight it out. I was trying to steal one.”

And he came so close to stealing one Friday night. Lely jumped out to a 10-5 lead with 5:06 left in the first quarter on a Mark Belizaire jumper. FBA moved on top 16-15 by the end of the quarter.

Lely managed to stay within 10 points throughout the game, getting as close as 35-32 with 2:12 left in the third period. Early in the fourth period it looked like FBA may pull away, stretching their lead to 47-40 with 4:05 left. But Lely was not done.

A Belizaire three with 3:23 left trimmed the lead to 47-43. It was 47-45 with 2:30 left.

After a pair of timeouts, Lely trailed FBA 50-49 with 46.5 seconds left. Little brother came that close to stealing one from big brother.

“We played seven games in 12 days,” Scott Stewart said after the game. “Fritz does a great job of getting his teams to play hard defense. And if you let them hang around, it’s going to be a game. Great job for Lely. I was proud of our guys for handling a lot of pressure. You don’t always get the best calls when you’re away, in a real tough environment. That’s the way it goes. It’s basketball. It’s a win. We’re moving on. Moving to the next game.

Trojan gym holds a soft spot in Scott Stewart’s heart.

“It’s special to come in here,” Stewart said. " The gym feels good to me. It’s a good environment. It is a good feeling. A lot of history here. My dad did a great job here, building culture. I think Fritz has done a great job of continuing the culture of hard work ethic and playing with passion."  

Stewart seems to have his team poised to make a run in the playoffs.

“In one way I want to say they’ve exceeded my expectations,” Stewart said. "On the other side, I’ve told this team they have such a high ceiling. Other teams I couldn’t say that about. They have potential, for sure, to be a Final Four team. No question. If we put it together. We didn’t put it together tonight on offense as well. But on defense, we’re still pretty good. We’re striving every day to get there."

For the Trojans, it’s become a season of redemption. After losing their first nine games, the Trojans beat five good teams before falling to Barron Collier. Jacques believes his team is starting to gel.

"In life you’re going to win some and lose some,” Jacques said. "It’s all about how you bounce back from adversity. This season’s been a very tough season. These kids are still fighting. And that makes me very proud as a coach. It’s a privilege to coach them. Because this group of kids I have are competitors. This program, we always teach work. In the classroom, on the court, in the community. A lot of these kids, their parents work two to three jobs. I use that as an example. Your parents have to work to get paid, and we have to do the same thing. Some of these kids are starting to understand that we have to put the work in. That’s it, that’s basketball. I’m always proud of my kids, as long as they compete and play hard. Anything can happen in the district playoffs. I don’t think any team wants to play us in the first round of the playoffs. Because they already know that we’re going to come out and compete. I know that."

In the week leading up to the district tournament, Stewart’s FBA squad presses on toward what they hope will be a Final Four appearance. Jacques is looking forward to challenges against Miami Central and a Senior Night game against arch-rival Naples High Friday night.