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No letdown for Largo's boys basketball team

 
Largo's Julian Cooney takes a jump shot while double guarded during the FHSAA Class 6A semifnal, Largo against Pensacola, on Friday evening, February 26, 2016 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland. Largo snuck the win, 56-54, sending them to the 6A finals tomorrow. (Zack Wittman, Times)
Largo's Julian Cooney takes a jump shot while double guarded during the FHSAA Class 6A semifnal, Largo against Pensacola, on Friday evening, February 26, 2016 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland. Largo snuck the win, 56-54, sending them to the 6A finals tomorrow. (Zack Wittman, Times)
Published Dec. 13, 2016

LARGO — The trophies from Largo High's magical run to the state championship game in boys basketball still are displayed in the school's front office. A banner was ordered this week that will hang in the new state-of-the-art gymnasium.

The Packers no longer have to pack their basketball equipment in cars before driving off to a YMCA for practice. They no longer have to play all of their games on the road.

After being temporarily homeless for two years, Largo has a gym to call its own now that construction is complete on campus. The hardships the Packers endured only strengthened their resolve as they came together to reach the state title game last season for the first time.

It meant everything for the Packers.

Now it means nothing.

This is a "what have you done for me lately" world. It is a new season. Last season's euphoria is history.

A few key pieces from that title run are missing, namely three starters who graduated. The biggest loss was Dakarai Allen, the team's leading scorer. Assistant coach Kris Foote also left to take over as the head coach at rival Clearwater High.

The Packers know they won't be taken lightly after doing so well a year ago.

Yet many things remain the same. Largo still has an athletic lineup full of football players who can sprint up and down the court. The toughness is still there, too.

Most importantly, the Packers are winning.

Largo is 7-0 entering Friday's home game against Palm Harbor University. The games are not even close. The Packers have won each game by 15 or more points and they are the only team in Class 7A, District 9 without a loss.

Their success has helped them gain statewide recognition. Largo is ranked third in the Class 7A state poll.

"I knew we had a chance to still be pretty good," Packers coach Phil Price said. "I didn't know we would be this good so early in the season."

There were some quality starters returning. Amant Deliu, a sharpshooter who averaged 11.3 points per game last season, was back. So was Bobby Roundtree, a football star who plays a pivotal role on the inside for the Packers.

Those two became leaders as soon as last season ended.

"We all push each other, we all work to get better together," Deliu said. "Sometimes I have to push my teammates and remind them how it felt to play in the state championship game. That motivates us a lot. I really think we're going back to states this year."

Others have key contributions. Julian Cooney has stepped up as a scorer. Isaiah Bellamy has turned into a solid defender. Price said there is a different player who leads the team in scoring almost every game, a big difference from last year when Allen was counted on provide the bulk of the points.

"I think we have a lot more chemistry on and off the court than last year's team," Cooney said. "I saw this coming. We practice harder than anyone in the county easily. We all want to show that last year was not a fluke so we just treat every game as if it's the last and leave everything on the line."