Howard W. Blake High School is set to make history. For the first time since the desegregation of schools, Blake’s Varsity Boys Basketball team is playing in the state final four championship.

As the team prepares to take on Leesburg High Friday afternoon at Lakeland’s Civic Center, their coach, Winston Davis, is recovering from a malignant tumor, will be there.

Coach Davis, who is the Head Coach of the Basketball team and said, “The kids are therapy for me.”

Dr. Charles Smith, Davis’ nephew, took a leave of absence from him job as a Pharmacist to dedicate all of his time to Blake’s boys basketball team at his uncle’s request.

The game is set for 2:30 p.m., Friday. If Blake wins, the team will play for the State Championship Saturday at Lakeland’s Civic Center.