05 Mar 2020

FHSAA Boys State Tournament: Top performers (Day 2)

LAKELAND — The 2020 FHSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament continued Thursday with six semifinal contests at the RP Funding Center. The tournament runs through Saturday. Here are the top performers from Day 2:

JOHNI BROOME (2020), TAMPA CATHOLIC

The 6-foot-9 Morehead State signee put his stamp on the 4A semifinal with a 22-point, 12-rebound, 4-block performance. Broome (pictured) made 8 of 13 from the field. He is one of five senior starters for TC. Asked what Morehead State coaches like about his game, he said: “They see a lot of potential. Like my soft touch around the rim, being able to space it and high IQ.” Broome grew up in Plant City. … Marcellus Crutchfield was a perfect 5 for 5 shooting and finished with 16 points.

IVAN REYNOLDS (2020), DILLARD

The senior guard’s controversial shot at the buzzer of the first overtime was ruled good by officials and sent the game into a second overtime tied 62-all. Reynolds finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Senior D-I forward prospect Jalen Haynes had a double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) before fouling out. Kirt Bromley scored 5 of his 7 points in the second OT.

DALLAS GRAZIANI (2020), PINES CHARTER

The Nova Southeastern University guard recruit went for 29 points in the semifinal win over Naples.

Graziani was 7 for 15 from the floor and 15 of 15 from the free-throw line. He played all 32 minutes. Pines Charter big Amarachi Ujagbor was a major presence in the paint with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Pines Charter is on a quest to win its first boys basketball state championship.

KENNEY GAINES & DARRIEN JONES (2020), COLUMBIA

The senior guard tandem was terrific, combining for 44 of the team’s 66 points in the double-OT defeat. Gaines and Jones both are able to get into the lane and make plays. Jones made 8 of 13 field-goal attempts and finished with 20 points. Gaines was 8 of 22 en route to 24 points. They combined to make 5 of Columbia’s 6 3-pointers.

WALTER CLAYTON (2021), BARTOW

Clayton scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to go along with 8 assists and 3 steals for 29-1 Bartow. Joshua Simons had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the victory over East Lake.

THADDEUS SQUIRE (2021), STRANAHAN

The 6-foot-3 junior set the tone early for the defending state champions with 11 first-half points vs. Paxon. Squire would end the day 5 of 9 from the field — including 3 of 4 from 3-point range — and post a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). Seven of the boards came on the defensive end. Senior guard Chayse Culpepper and 2020 post Inady Legiste added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Defensively, the trio helped force 15 Paxon turnovers.

ISAIAH ADAMS (2020), JACKSONVILLE PAXON

Adams’ final stat line of an excellent high school career: 29 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in the loss to Stranahan. The Paxon star has nice size but the skills of a guard. Adams connected on 10 of 21 shots from the field — including 5 of 10 from 3-land — and had 8 defensive rebounds. The 6-6 Adams is headed to play at UCF in the fall. UCF coach Johnny Dawkins was in attendance.

ZACHARY WHITE (2020), TALLAHASSEE RICKARDS

The 6-2 White put up a double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds) in the W over Sebring. White connected on 10 of 21 shots from the field while helping Rickards hold Sebring to 15-of-57 shooting. 6-7 2021 Khamari McGriff almost had a triple-double (11 rebounds, 9 points, 9 blocks).

DIONTE BLANCH (2020), EAST LAKE

The Murray State guard recruit connected on 9 of 23 field-goal attempts en route to a 22-point, 7-rebound performance vs. Bartow.

JARED BERRY (2022), LAKE HIGHLAND PREP

The 5-8/5-9 sophomore went for 18 points, 4 rebounds (second on team) and 2 steals for a young LHP squad playing without Brice Sensabaugh (knee). Berry shot 7 for 18 from the field (2 for 7 from 3). “For our first time here this team that we have is really special,” said Berry. “We’re definitely going to be back. We’re going to miss [senior] Vic [Brown].” Berry has opened some eyes and heads into an important summer period. He said he plans to play travel ball with Team MOAM.

RYAN BROWN (2021), SEBRING

The junior guard scored 17 points and had 6 steals in the loss to Rickards. … 6-5 2021 Alvin Tumblin scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

BYNTLEY THEORK (2021), NAPLES

The 5-9 junior guard led Naples with 17 points and 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Theork & Co. held Pines Charter to 1-of-16 shooting on 3s. It is Naples first trip to state in 29 years.

THURSDAY’S SCORES

4A semifinals: Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 59, Jacksonville Paxon 54

4A semifinals: Tampa Catholic 65, Lake Highland Prep 54

5A semifinals: Rickards 59, Sebring 44

5A semifinals: Pembroke Pines Charter 81, Naples 71

6A semifinals: Fort Lauderdale Dillard 71, Lake City Columbia 66 (2 OTs)

6A semifinals: Bartow 68, East Lake 57

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

12:30 — 7A semifinals: Miramar vs. Orlando Oak Ridge

2:30 — 7A semifinals: West Palm Beach Forest Hill vs. Sanford Seminole

4:30 — 2A championship game: Impact Christian vs. OCP

7:00 — 1A championship game: Hilliard vs. Hawthorne

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

10:00 — 3A championship: St. Andrew’s vs. Andrew Jackson

12:30 — 4A championship: Stranahan vs. Tampa Catholic

3:00 — 5A championship: Rickards vs. Pines Charter

5:30 — 6A championship: Dillard vs. Bartow

8:00 — 7A championship

WEDNESDAY’S SCORES

2A semifinals: Jacksonville Impact Christian 56, Miami Schoolhouse Prep 54 (OT)

2A semifinals: Orlando Christian Prep 74, Tampa Bayshore Christian 53

1A semifinals: Hilliard 80, Vernon 59

1A semifinals: Hawthorne 70, Paxton 58

3A semifinals: Boca St. Andrew’s 68, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 58

3A semifinals: Jacksonville Andrew Jackson 65, Community School of Naples 53

If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer at PatALammer@Gmail.com