Top 10: Best showings from the 2018 state tournament
The Florida state basketball tournament wrapped up this week in Lakeland after six days of games in the nine classes of play.
State champions: Wildwood (1A), Miami Christian (2A), Orlando Christian Prep (3A), Westminster (4A), University (5A), Leesburg (6A), Doral (7A), Blanche Ely (8A) and Oak Ridge (9A).
Here are the best individual showings from states week at the RP Funding Center.
Robin Perry saves his best for last
What a Saturday night for Oak Ridge senior Robin Perry as the Pioneers won their first state title. The 6’4″ guard picked up the slack with seniors Emmitt Williams and Antwaan Jones battling foul trouble. Perry scored a game-high 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field which included 4-of-5 from downtown. Underrated and highly skilled as a scorer, Perry drew the attention of everyone in the stands.
Zach Scott and Sam Griffin score plenty for Westminster
Back to back titles were captured for Westminster this week as senior FGCU commit Zach Scott and junior Sam Griffin put up points in a hurry for the Lions. On Thursday, Scott scored 35 points while grabbing nine rebounds, handing out six assists and forcing five steals in his final high school game, the Lions state title win. It seemed as if Scott was everyone on the floor. He scored 28 points and added 11 rebounds in the semifinal win. Griffin averaged 21 PPG, hitting big jumpers for his side. He’ll take over Scott’s role at point guard next season.
Lance Erving carries Leesburg in the semifinal win over Booker
Junior Leesburg guard Lance Erving was gigantic for the defending state champions in the 61-60 semifinal win over Booker. He was held in check with 12 points across the first two quarters. But he came up in a large way in the third quarter with 13 points. Erving finished the night with 28 points.
Josh Scott does it all for Blanche Ely inside
Production and consistency were on Josh Scott’s side this week. He netted 26 points in both the semifinal win over St. Pete and the state championship win over Creekside. The big bodied forward was essential in the state final, hitting 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
Keon Ellis picks up the slack in Leesburg’s 6A title win
Ellis was hitting big shot after big shot on his way to 24 points in the 71-62 win over Rickards in the state final. Ellis averaged 18.5 PPG for the week and flashed his athleticism on dunks, blocks and drives to the rack. He took his game to a new level this season helping Leesburg capture its second straight title.
Serrel Smith puts it all on the line
In what turned out to be his final high school game, Serrel Smith did everything he could to keep St. Pete afloat. The senior guard had a game-high 36 points in the semifinal loss to Blanche Ely. He scored 23 of his team’s 33 second half points routinely pulling up and driving to the rack. Smith put it all on the line. Expect him to do plenty of that in the fall at Ole Miss.
Vincent McCray gives Rickards his full effort
There is something about the second half that Rickards senior guard Vincent McCray loves. In both the semifinal and final, he helped the Raiders in a large way over the final 16 minutes. In the semifinal win over Palatka, McCray scored 17 of his 25 points in the third quarter alone. In the finals loss to Leesburg, he scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half.
Vernon Carey Jr. finds cruise control
Junior forward Vernon Carey Jr. had 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocks with Michigan State in the house watching during the state title win over Trinity Catholic. He cruised to a 21-point, 12-rebound performance against Tampa Catholic in the semifinal. Carey Jr. showed off his jumper and always fun dunking and blocking ability this week.
Marcus Niblack is super clutch
Only a sophomore, Marcus Niblack was determined to help his Wildcats redeem themselves after a state semifinal loss a year ago. He scored 22 points in both the semifinal win over Madison County and the finals win Blountstown early in the week. In the championship game, Niblack had 11 of his 22 points in the second half which included seven in the fourth quarter. He hit a 3 to tie the game with 1:28 left on an assist from Wilson. Niblack then dished out an assist on Bryan McMullen’s game-winning lay-in with four seconds left.