Sunday was the final day of the Conrad P. Foss Memorial Showcase put on by the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches in Gainesville. With “only” six sessions on the final day, basketball junkies like us felt short changed. These are the games we focused on before heading back to the Source Hoops Hacienda.
Williston vs. Oviedo
The Red Devils of Williston play in the Rural classification (smallest in the state) while Oviedo now plays in 6A, the state’s largest. This type of matchup only occurs at this type of event. With an 8:30AM start time, it was no surprise that the first quarter of play was a bit ragged and finished with the score tied 8-8. Williston was the first to wake up, grabbing a 21-14 lead at the break. The Lions of Oviedo clawed back in the third quarter to cut the deficit to one at 37-36 with one more period remaining. Oviedo grabbed its first lead at 41-40 but then Williston ran off four straight points to take back the lead. Oviedo battled back and with under a minute to play led 53-52. Williston was off on a shot to take the lead and fouled Oviedo to stop the clock and get the ball back with ten seconds to play. Oviedo made both to win by the score of 55-52.
Oviedo was led by 6’1 rising senior Carter Oden with 18 points. Keiden Hester, a 6’1 rising senior, added 15 points.
For Williston, 6’5 rising senior Jaden Magee led the way with 16 points. He was followed by Aiden McCloud, a 6’0 rising junior with 14 points and 6’0 rising junior Jacques Edwards with 11 points.
Trenton vs. Hialeah Mater Lakes
Trenton is another school that plays in the Rural classification. They reached the state title game last year and return four of five starters from that team. Mater Lakes is a very respected program in South Florida but due to the high school “transfer portal” is having to integrate new pieces into the program. Mater Lakes had a 12-11 lead after one period of play, but Trenton assumed control in the second quarter to lead 21-16 at the break. Trenton held a 34-30 lead heading into the final period, but it didn’t take long for Mater Lakes to tie the game. The contest was close down to the last two minutes when Mater Lakes was able to get some separation and win a tough one 49-44.
Denver Turner, a 6’4 rising senior, led Mater Lakes with 15 points. Khamani Pessoa, a 5’10 rising sophomore, added 11 points.
For Trenton, 6’5 senior Mason Vancunnan paced the team with 15 points followed closely by 6’3 rising senior Tyler Billis with 14 points.
Deltona Pine Ridge vs. Miami Doral Academy
Doral got out quickly on a Pine Ridge team that relies heavily on 6’8 rising senior Henry Robinson to get points. Doral was up 23-14 after the first period came to an end. They were able to maintain that type of advantage throughout the contest. Pine Ridge just didn’t have enough capable scorers to keep up with the precision with which Doral played with on the offensive end of the floor. Doral would end up with a solid 69-54 win.
Doral was led by 6’0 rising freshman Michael Moreno with 25 points. Bruno Rodriguez, a 5’11 rising senior with 16 points and Derek Rocha, a 6’3 rising junior.
Robinson led Pine Ridge with 24 points, many in impressive fashion. Marrick Savitz, a 6’3 rising junior contributed 16 points and Landon Weeks, a 6’3 rising freshman, put up 10 points.
Wildwood vs. Bradenton Braden River
Our final stop on the Rural Classification tour was Wildwood taking on Braden River. The Rural Classification power Wildcats got up early on Braden River, leading 14-10 after the first period. Braden River closed the gap in the second period, tying the game at 24-24 heading into the third quarter. Wildwood used their speed and quickness to open a 36-29 lead with one period left to play. Braden River was unable to mount a comeback and Wildwood got the win, 57-49.
Jeremiah Jones, a 6’0 rising senior, led the Wildcats with 15 points while 6’3 rising junior Demarius Knight added 12 points.
For Braden River, Anquan Polynice, a 5’10 rising senior, led all scorers with 18 points.
Miami Norland vs. Wellington Palm Beach Central
Miami-Dade matched up with Palm Beach in this South Florida Slugfest. The first quarter went back and forth and when it was over, Norland had an 11-9 lead. That didn’t last long and Central was quick to take advantage of Norland mistakes. They grabbed a halftime lead of 21-16. Central increased its advantage in both the third and fourth quarters, winning big by the score of 54-33.
Palm Beach Central was led by 6’2 rising junior Xavier Police with 15 points.
Aidan Spenkuch, a 6’5 rising junior, paced Norland with 13 points.
Tampa Prep vs. Boca Raton Grandview Prep
The final game of the event featured a pair of coaching legends in Tampa Prep’s Joe Fenlon and Grandview Prep’s Joe Dawson. Between the two of them there are a combined 1,600+ wins! Grandview Prep had a 10-7 lead after one period of play. They stretched that advantage to 23-14 at the break. Try as they might, Tampa Prep could never make it any closer than a two-possession contest. Grandview took this one by the score of 58-50.
Grandview was led by 6’6 rising junior Ethan Mott with 28 points. He got help in the form of 6’1 rising senior Eli Marinoff with 14 points.
For Tampa Prep, 6’4 rising senior Myheir Session led the team with 18 points while 6’3 rising junior Adrian Pozo contributed 11 points.
Player of the Day: We’re going with Grandview’s Ethan Mott on this one. The 6’6 rising junior has effective deep range on his jumper but doesn’t rely on it to get points. He showed no hesitation in trying to finish over anyone in his way at the rim. Mott also rebounded well and was quick to push the ball ahead to open teammates on the break.