Every year there are players that raise their reputation with their play.  This year was certainly no different.  These are just some of the performers that had us sit up and take notice.

RURAL

Ta’veon Dunbar, Hilliard: We fully expected C.J. Hall to lead the Red Flashes in scoring, but the 6’1 senior Dunbar took on the primary scoring load to average 21 points a game, leaving Hall free to do other things that helped Hilliard reach the regional final.

CLASS 1A

Asa Rogosich, Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian: The 5’11 senior led the state in scoring by a wide margin.  His average of 37.3 points a game was almost eight points higher than the next closest player.  We caught Rogosich at an event in the fall and came away impressed with his ability to score, facilitate, and provide a spark at both ends of the court for his team.

CLASS 2A

Chaim Galbut, Miami Country Day: A 6’6 senior, Galbut averaged just over 16 points and 10 rebounds a contest to lead Miami Country Day to the regional final.  When we saw MCD in the fall, we were impressed by Galbut but it seemed that the Spartans might be too young to make an impact in one of the most difficult regions in the state regardless of classification.  As the saying goes, “a rising tide raises all boats”.  If that is the case, Galbut was a tsunami for Miami Country Day this past season.

CLASS 3A

Willie Piggott, Tampa Catholic: The 6’5 junior elevated his game when senior point guard and Samford signee Isaiah Campbell-Finch missed extended time with an ankle injury.  Piggott led the Crusaders in scoring and was second in rebounding.  His efforts helped the team reach their regional final.  He proved to be a dynamic athlete and scorer with a lot of tricks in his bag.

CLASS 4A

Spencer Clayton, Naples Barron Collier: The 6’2 senior made his presence felt in a lot of different areas of the game.  He averaged just over 20 points a game, grabbed close to 6 rebounds a contest as well as notching 6.5 assists per game.  We saw Clayton prior to the start of the season and were intrigued then.  You can call us impressed now.

CLASS 5A

Dylon Hanna, Pompano Beach Ely: The 6’2 senior was the leading scorer for the state champion Tigers, averaging just over 16 points a contest.  He also led the team in steals at two per game.  Ely flew under the radar for most of the season until raising the championship trophy and people realizing just how good Hanna and his fellow Tigers were.

CLASS 6A

Arosco Dubois, Orlando Evans: After dropping multiple three-point bombs on Columbus last year in Lakeland, we made every effort to catch Dubois in action.  We admittedly were not prepared for the type of all-around scorer he is.  Dubois can stretch a defense, yes, but he has an excellent mid-range game and finishes strong in traffic at the basket.  He is also an underrated passer and defender.

CLASS 7A

Luke McCrimmon, Kissimmee Osceola: The 6’2 junior led the Kowboys in scoring at just under 19 points a contest, leading them to a regional final where they fell by just three points.  Osceola was a bit undervalued heading into the season, but they earned a #1 send in their portion of the regional tournament.  McCrimmon, who comes from a basketball family with deep roots at Osceola, was a big factor in the team’s season-long run of success.

Independents

Willie Burnett III, Orlando West Oaks Academy: The 6’4 junior simply amazed all season long with his ability to put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways.  He makes contested shots on both sides of the arc, finishes creatively in a crowd at the basket, and has some crazy crafty footwork and ball skills to get himself free of defenders and get good looks at the hoop.