TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

East Bay Forward Takes Flight

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

GIBSONTON - LaShawn Davis didn't even consider trying out for the East Bay High School boys basketball team before last year.

"I was working out with a friend, and he convinced me to try out," Davis said. "He told me I was too good not to play for the team."

Now Davis is a senior and a starting power forward on the varsity basketball team, which is off to a 1-3 start.

"He's just a great kid, and a terrific student athlete in every sense," said Scot Tipton, East Bay's athletic director.

Davis is originally from Tulsa, Okla., but has also lived in Fort Lauderdale and has called Gibsonton home for the three years.

Besides basketball, Davis enjoys playing golf, but his real passion has little to do with playing hoops or making a birdie.

"Eventually, I want to become a pilot," Davis said. "It's just something I've had in my head ever since I began high school."

To that end, Davis plans to study aeronautical engineering. He has applied to Tennessee State University and is considering applying to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

Davis acknowledges that juggling school and sports is occasionally difficult.

"Sometimes, it can be tough, when we have a late away game or something," he said. "I'll do my homework on the bleachers during the junior varsity game, or on the bus - whatever it takes to get it done."

Though he is enjoying every bit of his high school athletic career, Davis has no plans to take his basketball game to the next level.

"College basketball is a whole different ballgame," Davis said. "Plus, I think I'm going to have my hands full with my major."

LaSHAWN DAVIS

AGE: 17

GRADE: 12th

SCHOOL: East Bay High School

SPORT: Basketball

POSITION: Power forward

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: To study aeronautical engineering and become a pilot

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT