10 Best: Miami Christian vs. Osceola
Osceola hadn’t lost since Dec. 28, 2016. On Thursday night, the Kowboys, the defending Class 9A champs fell to Miami Christian (the 2A champions from last season) 70-63 in a Sunshine Series clash at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.
Miami Christian junior guard Diego Rivera led the Victors with 15 points while Osceola junior forward Jaduhkiss Soto finished with a game-best 21 points.
Here are the 10 best performers from the matchup.
MVP: Neftali Alvarez (Miami Christian)
Alvarez may have only had nine points, but he was the floor general for Miami Christian much like he always is. He had seven assists, four rebounds and two steals as well. Alvarez has a quick first step that guides his team’s game on the break.
Best offensive performance: Jaduhkiss Soto (Osceola)
Soto had himself a game for the Kowboys with 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting. When Osceola needed a bucket, it was the 6’5″ junior who came calling. He’s fit in nicely next to his new teammates after transferring over from Gateway this summer.
Best defensive performance: Omar Payne (Osceola)
Payne was flat out dominant in the first half with 10 points, five rebounds and four blocks. He would only add one more point to finish with 11, but he ended the night with nine rebounds and six blocks as well. Payne can be a full fledged force at his 6’9″ frame when he develops further.
Best intangibles: Jeff Hernandez (Miami Christian)
Hernandez needed some time and space to start to get going, but when he did, he found success. The 6’5″ senior guard recorded 13 points and six rebounds. He shot 5-of-10 from the field and did a lot off the ball in terms of transition play.
Best catch and shoot guy: Diego Rivera (Miami Christian)
Rivera was lethal whenever he shot the ball. He recorded a game-high 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field which included 3-of-4 from downtown. This all came in just 14 minutes on the floor. Rivera, a 6’1″ junior is being groomed to take over Alvarez’s role at point guard next fall.
Best under-the-radar performance: Isaiah Palermo (Osceola)
12 points and 10 rebounds. Those were the numbers for Osceola junior guard/forward Isaiah Palermo. He shot 5-of-8 from the field and at times looked really good at times on both ends of the floor. Palermo is a worker much like his younger brother Jeremiah Palermo who scored five points. Isaiah’s size (6’5″) however makes him a legitimate threat.
Best worker: Miguel Diaz (Miami Christian)
Diaz hit 3-of-7 from beyond the arc as he stretched the floor to his way to adding 12 points on the night. At 6’5″, he was one of many versatile players for the Victors and he fits the bill for his team’s tempo and chemistry.
Biggest supplemental player: Josh Marte (Osceola)
Marte didn’t have the best shooting day but he fought for all 10 of his points as the point guard leader for the Kowboys. The 5’9″ junior is speedy and has the ability to get around defenders. He had four assists as well.
Best effort: Marcelo Perez (Miami Christian)
Perez brought lots of energy to this team-oriented Miami Christian approach. The 6’5″ senior missed all three field goal attempts in the first half but made 3-of-4 in the second half to finish the game with 10 points. He gave the Victors his all when they needed it the most.
Best aspect of the environment
The Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida Southwestern College is only two years old. The lighting and seating are superb. However, the best part of this game came from the Miami Christian sideline. Head coach Juan Cardona is a loud instructor who always gets his team to play smart and aggressive. It was no different in this one.