The High School season is over and the Travel Team Circuit will be heating up very, very soon. Now is a good time for Source Hoops to dole out our annual End of Season Awards. First up: Most Valuable Player. Remember, we define the MVP as the person who was most prominent in leading his team to playoff success.
CLASS 1A
Kyle Lamb, Williston: The 6’6 senior was Mr. Consistent for the Red Devils. In what may have been Williston’s best season ever, Lamb’s ability to score inside and out made him a tough match-up for opponents. On the year, he averaged 16.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.9 apg and 1.0 spg. Lamb put up some impressive numbers in Lakeland. In the semis vs. Chipley, the stat line was 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. In the title game vs. Hilliard, he tallied “just” nine points but grabbed six rebounds, handed out four assists and blocked four shots. Lamb came in second in the Class 1A Mr. Basketball voting. He will attend Tampa University.
CLASS 2A
Ameer Ramadan, Orlando Christian Prep: The 6’0 senior took his game to another level when Florida signee Isaiah Brown went down with a sprained ankle early in the season and did not return until the regional finals. Ramadan’s numbers of 14.2 ppg, 4.0 apg, and 3.0 rpg may not be eye-popping, but His leadership, defense, and shot-making ability carried the Warriors to a 23-4 record upon Brown’s return. His impact on the team’s success placed him second in the Class 2A Mr. Basketball voting. Ramadan is heading to Florida Southern to continue his basketball career.
CLASS 3A
Dante Allen, Miami Riviera Prep: On a squad with no seniors, the 6’4 Allen took hold of the team leadership mantle and guided the Bulldogs to a second consecutive Class 3A state title. Allen was consistent and efficient in games all season long. Not only did he average over 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and over 3 steals a contest, he shot 59% from the floor, made nearly three threes a game, and shot 83% from the foul line. Allen led the team in scoring in both state tournament games in Lakeland. Allen consistently provided poise and production for Riviera Prep in its run to the state title and earned the nod as Mr. Basketball in Class 3A.
CLASS 4A
Jacob Daniels, St. Petersburg Gibbs: The 6’1 junior was the catalyst that got the Gladiators a state title in the team’s third trip to Lakeland in three years. All season long, Daniels has been a crafty scorer and distributor for his team. Gibbs was stellar in the team’s three wins in a loaded Sun Bash Tampa field and later just as good in the Wally Keller Classic against 3A regional finalist Gateway Charter. On the season, Daniels averaged 18.4 points a contest, shooting 49% from the floor, 34% from behind the arc and 75% from the charity stripe. In the triple overtime thriller in the state semis against North Broward Prep, he tallied 12 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals while drawing 11 fouls to get the Gladiators into the title game. In that title game he led all scorers with 22 points. He was named Mr. Basketball in Class 4A.
CLASS 5A
Ryan Blount, Rockledge: The 6’6 senior and Tampa University signee was one of the top scorers in the state at nearly 28 ppg. In his lone season at Rockledge, he led the team to a regional final, only to lose to eventual champion Miam Norland on the road. Whenever we saw Rockledge this season, Blount never failed to deliver. He was a member of the Kingdom of the Sun All-Tournament team and scored 28 points, hitting the game winner against The Master’s Academy at Sun Bash Orlando. Blount was a close second in the Class 5A Player of the Year balloting.
CLASS 6A
Josh Harris, Pembroke Pines Charter: A 6’7 senior, Harris was instrumental in leading the Jaguars to the state title and his play earned him the Mr. Basketball award for Class 6A. On the season, Harris nearly averaged a double-double with 19.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg. His ability to take smaller opponents inside and score or pull bigger opponents away from the basket and either shoot over them or blow by them to the basket made Harris a very difficult cover. He had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the team’s dominating semi-final win in Lakeland. Harris repeated the double-double act with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the title game victory.
CLASS 7A
Cameron Boozer, Miami Columbus: The 6’9 junior is putting together what will arguably be considered the best high school career ever by a Florida player. He was the Class 7A Player of the Year and the favorite to earn Mr. Basketball one more time. Boozer is a double-double waiting to happen every time he steps on the court. That double-double does not have to be points and rebounds; it could include blocks, steals, or assists as he is a fine passer, protects the rim without fouling and has great anticipation when the ball enters his area. Boozer has a myriad of scoring tools as he can post up and posterize defenders, drive by bigger opponents from the perimeter or shoot over smaller ones. Let’s hope he and twin brother Cayden play their entire high school careers for the Explorers.
INDEPENDENTS
Derek Queen, Montverde Academy: The 6’9 senior and recent Maryland commit is arguably the key to the Eagles undefeated season. Yes, Cooper Flagg is the Gatorade National Player of the year, Liam McNeeley is a shot-maker supreme, and Robert Wright III is a ball-handling and passing wizard, but Queen’s ability to score inside, control the glass at both ends, and find open teammates for easy shots out of the post is unparalleled at this level (and maybe higher). His basketball IQ is incredibly high, as is his skill level.
Next Up: Most Outstanding Player