The Most Memorable Performances: 2019 FHSAA State Tournament
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27 games this week took place at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland for the FHSAA boys basketball state tournament. Nine champions were crowned. 9A: Osceola 8A: Blanche Ely 7A: Crestview 6A: Stranahan 5A: University 4A: Westminster 3A: St. John…
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Continue Reading27 games this week took place at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland for the FHSAA boys basketball state tournament.
Nine champions were crowned.
9A: Osceola
8A: Blanche Ely
7A: Crestview
6A: Stranahan
5A: University
4A: Westminster
3A: St. John Paul II
2A: Central Florida Christian
1A: Madison County
Here is a look back at the most memorable performances from the week.
Allan Jeanne-Rose’s walk-off dunk
Can you ask for a better ending to a state championship game than a dunk in the closing seconds? Well, that is exactly what 2019 6’7″ St. John Paul II forward Allan Jeanne-Rose did in the 50-48 single overtime win over Orlando Christian Prep in Tuesday’s Class 3A State Final. Jeanne-Rose somehow found an opening near the basket with three seconds remaining and then slammed it home (VIDEO). Orlando Christian Prep inbounded the ball, but time ran out. The Panthers celebrated the program’s first-ever state title. Jeanne-Rose, a key transfer from Rickards shot 12-of-20 from the field in two state games with 20 points in the final and 12 points in the semifinal win over First Baptist.
Link: FULL 3A TITLE GAME STORY
Blanche Ely’s rally in the 8A semifinal
Blanche Ely has been dominant for two main reasons, the hard working coaching staff and the athletes that buy in. On Friday night, The Tigers faced a huge test against a lengthy and fast Windermere group in the Class 8A state semifinal. Blanche Ely faced deficits of 14 and 13 points late in the third quarter including a 45-32 disadvantage with just over one minute left. However, 2020 guard Tyreke Francois was super clutch with back to back 3’s to cut it to 45-38 at the end of three. Blanche Ely scrapped endlessly in the fourth quarter and had the ball with 57 seconds left with the game ited. 2020 forward Malachi Hazelton sunk two free throws with four seconds left and that was it, a 56-54 win. That was one of the best comebacks of the season and certainly the top rally of the week in Lakeland. The Tigers then captured their ninth state title in school history and sixth in the last eight years (second straight) in a tough fought 57-52 victory over Lakewood Ranch on Saturday.
Link: FULL 8A TITLE GAME STORY
Diwun Black’s dominance
Osceola students, parents and coaches should be taking 2019 forward Diwun Black out to a nice steak dinner very soon. The UF Football signee carried his team on his back with 35 points (12-of-19 from the field, 10-of-10 from the free throw line) in the 50-43 win over Wellington in the Class 9A state championship on Saturday night. After transferring this fall from Mississippi, the high major football prospect was ruled ineligible due to his grades. But he got his grades back up and was able to participate in the basketball season once January started and his presence on the team was a true gamechanger. Black was unstoppable and made it look easy as a strength attacker whether Wellington brought two guys at him or not.
Link: FULL 9A TITLE GAME STORY
Jaden Voisin’s work ethic
Hats off to Crestview for winning its second title in program history with a 50-40 victory over Dillard on Saturday. The Bulldogs don’t have much size, but they have grit, strength and pure basketball mindsets. 2019 guard Jaden Voisin quietly proved to be one of the best performers all week long in Lakeland. He had 18 points (5-of-12 shooting from the field), eight rebounds and seven assists in the semifinal win over Lehigh. Voisin followed that up with a 21-point (6-of-13 shooting from the field and five-rebound outing in the final. He created openings and found lanes on good feeds from his teammates against Dillard and continued to take advantage inside. Voisin was the best offensive weapon in the championship.
Link: FULL 7A TITLE GAME STORY
The leadership of Scottie Barnes
Winning comes often for University School, but the absence of 2019 Duke signee Vernon Carey Jr. (ankle) made for an interesting outlook at the state tournament. After the Sharks slipped past Westminster Christian 39-36 in the region final to advance, the road to a second straight title didn’t look like a lock. However, the ball movement University had from its offensive adjustments and the leadership from 2020 forward Scottie Barnes was insanely good. Barnes had 22 points, eight boards and five assists (11-of-16 shooting from the field) in the semifinal win over The Villages. He had 13 points and six rebounds in the 72-46 win in the Class 5A state final against Andrew Jackson. Barnes wasn’t always effective but he was active, vocal, strong and continues to grow as a leader and asset on both ends of the floor.
Link: FULL 5A TITLE GAME STORY
Ben Middlebrooks’ maturation
We witnessed a freshman in 2022 6’9″ forward Ben Middlebrooks prove himself in a big way this week for Westminster. It was clear that 2019 UT Arlington signee Sam Griffin (24.5 PPG in two state games) and 2019 IPFW signee Chase Johnston (19.5 PPG in two state games) were going to carry the load. But what we saw from Middlebrooks was super impressive. In the semifinal win over University Christian, he had five points, 17 rebounds and eight rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter. He followed that up with an 18-point (8-of-8 from the field), five-rebound outing in the Class 4A state final victory over Seffner Christian. Middlebrooks should be a prospect in high demand this summer and in the fall.
Link: FULL 4A TITLE GAME STORY
Preaster and Street saved the best for last
Last season, Central Florida Christian got a taste of the Class 2A state tournament. It evidently paid dividends after the Eagles were able to win their first title in school history with a 72-67 victory over North Florida Educational on Tuesday night. Behind core 2019 starters Jordan Preaster (30 points), Bryce Street (25 points) and Anterrius Washington (15 points), Central Florida Christian shot well enough (51 percent) to pull it out. Preaster, a Bethune Cookman signee was tough to slow down at the point of attack while Street was highly effective as a pure shooter (6-of-9 from the field, 4-of-6 from deep and 9-of-10 from the free throw line). This was not a deep team, but the leaders stood tall and the conditioning is top notch with this program.
Link: FULL 3A TITLE GAME STORY
Madison County’s toughness
After losing to eventual Class 1A state champion Wildwood in last year’s region semifinal, Madison County mustered together just enough to avenge its loss and take home its first state title. The combination of 2019 duo Travis Jay (FSU football signee) and Vincenta Mitchell was very effective in the second half of the 62-60 single OT victory. Mitchell had 20 points while Jay came on late with 16 total points which included 12 in the fourth quarter alone and four to open overtime before fouling out.
Link: FULL 1A TITLE GAME STORY