The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) is putting on their annual Conrad P. Foss Memorial Showcase this weekend in Gainesville. Well over 100 teams are participating with Friday being the first day of action. Here are some of the highlights of our day.
Miami Palmetto vs. Jacksonville Impact Christian
Large school vs Small School powers kicked off the first session of the day at noon. Impact Christion blitzed out to an 11-0 lead before Palmetto took a time out. That got them settled down and got the score to 19-11 after one quarter. Impact Christian maintained its lead well into the second quarter until Palmetto took a 25-24 lead with a minute until the half. Palmetto kept that lead throughout the second half. Impact got to within 50-48 with fifteen seconds left but had to foul to get the ball back. Palmetto made one of two. Impact wasn’t able to make a gamy-tying three-pointer and Palmetto notches a tough win 51-48.
Samfree Sarante, a 6’4 rising senior, paced Palmetto with 18 points, all from behind the arc.
Michael Underwood, a 5’11 rising senior, led Impact Christian with 13 points.
Weston Sagemont vs. Orlando Edgewater
Another clash of Large School/Small School powers, Sagemont got up 17-3 with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Edgewater didn’t storm back but methodically chipped away at the lead. They were down 29-21 at the half and just 39-34 with one quarter left to play. Edgewater was never able to get closer than that. Sagemont was able to pull away in the fourth quarter to win 60-50.
Ezra Gelin, a 6’2 rising junior, led Sagemont with 15 points while 6’5 rising junior Brandon Sharpe added 14 points.
For Edgewater, 6’0 rising senior Terrence Walker led all scorers with 24 points.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Jacksonville Providence
Providence looked stellar from the very beginning. They led 24-16 after one quarter and 43-34 at the half. Still, St. Thomas battled and with the scoring abilities of C.J. Westbrook and K.J. Sandi, the Raiders could go on a run at any time. That was until Providence opened up the third period with a 9-2 run, boosting their lead to double=digits. St. Thomas was unable recover and the needed three-point shots and turnovers for scores never materialized. Providence won big, 80-54.
William Stewart, a 6’3 rising junior, was sensational in his 29-point scoring effort for Providence. He was joined by 6’9 rising senior Nolan Nelson with 17 points and 6’2 rising senior Ryan Gornto with 12 points.
Both Sandi, a 6’2 rising senior, and Westbrook, a 6’2 rising senior, each scored 15 points.
Orlando Oak Ridge vs. Coral Springs Coral Glades
This could have been a potential Class 6A title tilt come March of next year, but Oak Ridge has dropped down to 5A. Still both teams are extremely talented and it would not be a surprise if one or both made the Open Division next year. For today, the first quarter was very fast paced and Oak Ridge held a 17-15 lead after one. Coral Glades seized control of the second quarter and led 31-23 at the break. The third quarter was key, as Coral Glades outscored Oak Ridge 19-8 to grab a commanding 50-31 advantage. Coral Glades played their reserves most of the fourth quarter. Oak Ridge was able to make a dent in the lead but ran out of time. Coral Glades won 64-53.
Nate Accius, a 6’5 rising senior, led Coral Glades with 21 points.
Bishop Winze, a 6’8 rising senior, led Oak Ridge with 18 points.
Fleming Island vs. Tampa Jesuit
A battle of young teams, play was a little big sluggish in the first quarter, which ended tied at 9-9. Jesuit was the first to get a lead and was up 24-18 with 3:30 left until the break. A 9-1 run to close out the second gave Fleming Island a 27-25 lead at the half. The second half saw Fleming Island use its size advantage to great effect, opening up a 45-34 lead with one period remaining. Jesuit tried a variety of things to close the gap but nothing seemed to work. Fleming Island would go on to win by the score of 64-50.
Jalil Hill, a 6’9 rising sophomore, led Fleming Island with 20 points. Austin Triggs, a 6’1 rising sophomore added 15 points.
Tampa Jesuit was led by 6’1 rising junior Mike McClendon with 10 points.
Weston Cypress Bay vs. Gainesville Buchholz
Cypress Bay led the entire game, but it was close the whole way. Cypress Bay had seven point leads at the end of both the second and third quarters but could never put Buchholz away. It looked like Buchholz might steal a win, down just one with the ball with under a minute to play. Cypress Bay was able to get a stop and score at the either end, going on to win by a final of 48-45.
Cypress Bay was led by Christian Rios, a 6’1 rising senior with 19 points.
Jacob Bromirski, a 6’4 rising senior, led Buchholz with 14 points.
Gulfport Boca Ciega vs. Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson
It this Boca Ciega teams holds together, they will be a force. They jumped out quickly and never looked back. The led 28-6 after one period of play and ended up winning 80-41.
Boca Ciega got 27 points from 6’6 rising junior Nijaun Harris. Anthony Brown, a 6’6 rising senior, added 20 points to the cause.
For Boyd Anderson, both 6’3 rising senior Branden Jean and 6’5 rising senior Jayden Silvera each scored 12 points.
Pembroke Pines Charter vs. Sarasota
The final game of the night was a close contest the entire way. Sarasota led by just two points at the end of both the first and second quarters. Their five-point 33-28 lead at the end of the third seemed huge in comparison. With 3:24 left to play, the score was tied at 41-41. Both defenses tightened and both offenses struggled. Sarasota was able to take the first lead after that tie and hold on for a 46-43 win.
Sarasota was led by Johnny Lackaff, a 6’3 rising senior, with 15 points while Greg Dauer, a 6’4 rising junior added 14 points.
For Pines Charter, 6’0 rising senior Zac Dawson led the way with 17 points while 6’0 rising senior Alex Vardakis finished with 13 points.
Player of the Day: There were many great performances to choose from but we give William Stewart of Providence the nod. The 6’3 rising junior was not only highly productive with 29 points, he was also extremely efficient. An excellent three-level scorer, Stewart play well within the flow of the offense but has the ability to go and get a bucket on his own if that is what is needed.