By Mel Barlow
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
LAKELAND - Leesburg's victory in the AAA state final Saturday night left few questions unanswered. Of course there isn't any doubt about the Yellow Jackets being THE POWER in their classification, But a lot of area fans are asking is: could coach Bill Clendinen's squad handle AAAA winner Orlando Boone?
There really isn't anyway to accurately answer that question since the two teams never met during the regular season. The Jackets did however, face Deland twice, winning the first encounter by one and then coming back in the second confrontation to win by six. Boone did not play Deland during the regular schedule.
A check of common opponents of Boone and Leesburg is interesting. Both schools played Apopka and Ocala Vanguard and Lyman. The Braves squeaked past the Blue Darters by one point and then won by four in the second meeting. Leesburg dropped Apopka three times, twice by 18 points and third by eight . The Jackets crushed the Darters in the District Final.
Coach Wayne Rickmans Braves Defeated Vanguard 74-62 in their only meeting while the Yellow Jackets beat the Knights twice once by four 60-56 and then by nine 69-60 both clubs handled AAAA Lyman, Boone dumped the Greyhounds twice 44-42 and then by a 63-59 margin Leesburg romped over the Longwood School 60-45, in the Rotary title game behind Ed Chatmans 34 points.
If comparing records and margins as a barometer, one would have to come to the conclusion that the Yellow Jackets are every bit as tough as the Braves with a definite edge in defense.
Deland's game Saturday Night against the Orlando School left a lot to be desired. Sure Oliver Lee had his best tournament game with 32 points against the scrappy and shorter Braves. But anyone that has seen the Bulldogs play before Saturday knew Art Parissi kids just weren't playing anywhere near their full potential.
Yes, Boone did press and yes Deland found it difficult to set up normal offensive operation. But the Bulldogs seemed asleep at times, losing the ball on passes right into their hands of the opposition over and over again.
Now that brings up another interesting question. Did a night's layoff hurt Deland? Maybe, maybe not. But considered this point. Not one of the winners in four classifications played Thursday night. Malone, Pahokee, Leesburg and Boone came into the tournament faced with back to back games Friday and Saturday. Coral Gables, Deerborne, Alachua Santa Fe, Marianna and Deland, all losers played on the tournaments opening day, Thursday. Could a night of partying and having a good time-hurt those second best squads?
Several teams stayed at the same Motel I occupied during the three day event. I won't mention any names, but a couple that lost out were there. And let me tell you all three nights were party time.
The police had to be called in the Motel every night. But they could only do so much, which basically give the kids a time limit to be back in their rooms. After the law left the noise started all over.
Sure not all the players staying at the Motel were involved in the this in this late, late night frolicking. But at least one squad was evicted by the innkeeper. Of course there were a lot of other youngsters weren't members of the team but who were there to support the team in adjoining rooms.
The Jackets on the other hand were secluded in their motel. There was a 11:30 curfew, No guests and no parties. A good time sure, but Clendinens's kids respect discipline. they learned what it takes to be a consistent winner. No breaking the rules for them. They were glad to be in Lakeland but they were there to win a basketball title.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Leesburg claims first state basketball title
Pg. 8 Daily Commercial, Leesburg, Fla, Monday March 14, 1977
By Mel Barlow
Sports Editor
Lakeland - Without a doubt it was Leesburg High School's finest hour in sports. The Yellow Jackets culminated a spectacular season by overwhelming Marianna in the State Class AAA basketball finals Saturday night before an excited throng that numbered over 7,000 in the Lakeland Civic Center Arena.
The 71-51 count could have been greater if Bill Clendinen had not gone to his bench freely throughout the c0ontest. "We talked bout this goal when we had our first meeting before school started, " Clendenin said "Everyone paid a greater price in bringing us to this point. What happened tonight just show you what belief in yourself can accomplish.
The Jackets, who played before the largest group of Leesburg fans in the school's history, came onto the court with state title stamped all over them, Before Marianna woke up, Clendenin's kids had reeled off 13 straight points and had used 4:01 of the first period. The Bulldogs got their first score on a shot by Gerald Thomas at that point. Leesburg held a 23-6 advantage when the stanza ended.
"We played like champions for eight minutes and then we played like seven year olds for the next four or five minutes Clendinen said But these kids aren't 30 year old and they still have a thing or two to learn, I'm just glad they were able to holed everything together the rest of the way, Marianna played well after the first period and I think they showed what kind of people they have by not giving up. They kept coming at us even though we had them down by a pretty good spread"
Ed Chatman scored eight points during the opening expansion and finished the contest with a game high 23. Bo Peeples, who turned in a brilliant defensive effort, found the range for the first time during the last two weeks, pumping in 21.
"I see that my team captains led us in scoring tonight," added Clendinen, Both of them displayed great leadership all season. They picked a good way to finish their high school careers."
Eddie Ellis, the Bulldogs fine outside shooter and probably the teams best player, summed up the feelings of Marianna about the Jackets in two sentences "They have the best High School Basketball I have ever seen I think they could beat everyone in the state." Ellis paced the losers with 14 points.
Marianna did mount a mild comeback in the second period behind Ellis and Ronnie Chambers. Both canned eight points during the strecth. The Bulldogs cut the Jackets first break lead from17 points to10 when the buzzer went off at halftime. "we turned the ball over nine times in the second quarter" Clendinen said. "of course we had a talk about that at the half".
Marianna dropped in a pair of free throws of the hand of Marvin Harvey to open the third stanza. Bo Peeples countered for the Jackets with a jumper. The remaining seven and a half minutes was a see-saw affair. But the Bulldogs pulled within seven points at the 2:28 mark before two baskets, one each by Peeples and Chatman upped the Yellow Jackets margin to eleven 50-39 as the quarter concluded.
'There were times in the second half that we had a mental lapse,' commented Clendinen. "But we never let the game get out of hand and that's the sign of a true champion, "I thought Marianna showed a lot class when they came close and then pulled away. They lost but they never quit."
Leesburg outscored the Bulldogs by a 21-12 count in the final period Both coaches went to their bench late when it was evident the Jackets had the title in the bag.
"We're just not used to that kind of defensive pressure", said Marianna Coach Andy Free "Leesburg never lets down. They looked strong in the last period as they did in the first."
Randolph Farrior led the winners in the final stanza with seven points. He ended the game with 11.
But these kids aren't 30 years old and they still have a thing or two to learn, I'm just glad they were able to hold everything together the rest of the way, Marianna played well after the first period and I think they showed what kind of people they have by not giving up. They kept coming back at us even though we had them down by a pretty good spread"
Ed Chatman scored eight points during the opening expansion and finished the contest with a game high 23 . Bo Peeples, who turned in a brillant defensive effort, found the range for the first time during the last two weeks, pumping in 21.
Ed Chatman scored eight points during the opening expansion and finished the contest with a game high 23. Bo Peeples, who turned in a brilliant defensive effort, found the range for the first time during the last two weeks, pumping in 21.
"I see that my team captains led us in scoring tonight," added Clendinen. Both of them displayed great leadership all season. They picked a good way to finish their high school careers."
Eddie Ellis, the Bulldogs fine outside shooter and probably the teams best player, summed up the feeling's of Marianna about the Jackets in two sentences "They have the best high school basketball team I have ever seen I think they could beat everyone in the state." Ellis paced the losers with 14 points.
Marianna did mount a mild comeback in the second period behind Ellis and Ronnie Chambers. Both canned eight points during the stretch
Chatman, who would be a cinch for the tournament's most valuable player regardless of class if they voted one, controlled the backboards as if he owned them by pulling down 22. The Jackets' Johnny Williams claimed as many off the glass as the Bulldogs leader, Marvin Harvey, Both had eight.
Mathis Walker was the game's assist leader with seven, Walker, who is the Jackets only returning starter played a super defensive game and quarterback the Leesburg offense well both when Clendinen's charges were racing down the court and when they went into their famed four corner set up. The 5'9" marvel has to be rated with the best point guards in the state perhaps being the finest of the lot. "Leesburg didn't seem to have any weakness at all," added Coach Free. They're quick at every position and they have the right attitude that is needed to play that kind of defense. Its very hard to knock them off balance with that kid Walker controlling things. He's a super ball handler," The Yellow Jackets shot well from the field as they chalked up a better than average 54 percent.
Turnovers were even, both clubs committing 13. But the rebound figure was all Leesburg as Chatman and company held a wide 40-25 margin. The Jackets displayed poise at the charity stripe, hitting 19 of 24 attempts while the bulldogs dropped in 7 of 12. That's a 12 point difference which certainly was a factor in the outcome.
In other tournament finals Boone outquicked favored Deland 73-68. The Braves used tactics similar to the one's Leesburg used during the regular season to defeat Deland.
Boone entered the final period 10 points up, but the Bulldogs rallied with 16 points during the eight minute strecth. That wasn't good enough as the Braves fired in 12 straight free throws in the final 1:30 to insure the Orlando School history.
Pernell Tookes scored 28 points for the victors while Oliver Lee hit 32 for Deland.
In the afternoon title games, Pahokee defeated defending AA champions Clearwater Central Catholic 79-76 behind the 32 point performance of James Borroughs. Carl Cramb countered for the Marauders with 25 but a 19 points third quarter for the Blue Devils proved to be the difference.
Malone routed Coral Gables Deerborne in the Class A final 65-60. The Tigers were in control all the way after jumping out to an 18-12 first stanza lead. Malone was paced by Amos Wallace who canned 22 points. Coach Marvin Lassiters club had four players in double figures.
Marianna 6-20-13-12-51
Leesburg 23-13-14-21-71
Marianna-Ellis 6-2-14; Page 2-0-4; Harvey 5-3-12; Chamber 3-2-8; Thomas 5-0-10; Jones 1-0-2; Totals 22-7-51
Leesburg Walker 2-0-4; Peeples 9-3-21; Chatman 9-5-23; Williams 3-2-8; Janeczek 0-2-2; Legons 0-2-2
Totals 26-19-17
Fouls Marianna 17, Leesburg 14
Bo Peeples: "Its a dream come true. Some us have been getting ready for this for six years, I don't think Marianna was as sound as Jesuit."
Johnny "Snap" Williams: "I feel good. We were ready. We had to play good defense again. They came better than I thought Jesuit did."
Ed Chatman: "I think this was my best game all year both offensively and defensively. Its wonderful to end my high school career with a state championship. I think it was meant for us to win because we worked so hard. Nothing would make me unhappy right now".
Mathis Walker: "I feel very proud of the whole team. We knew we had a chance to win it when the season started. I don't think any team in the state is as tough as we are."
Randolf Farrior: It feels great to me. We got knocked out of it last year but this year it's different. Marianna played tough because they never gave up. I respect them for that."
Frank Janeczek: "I can't describe how great it feels to win the state championship. Its wonderful"
Wayne Taylor: It feels good to be on the team even though I didn't play much this season.
Resources
Mel BarlowSports Editor
Daily Commercial
Monday March 14, 1977
By Mel Barlow
Sports Editor
Lakeland - Without a doubt it was Leesburg High School's finest hour in sports. The Yellow Jackets culminated a spectacular season by overwhelming Marianna in the State Class AAA basketball finals Saturday night before an excited throng that numbered over 7,000 in the Lakeland Civic Center Arena.
The 71-51 count could have been greater if Bill Clendinen had not gone to his bench freely throughout the c0ontest. "We talked bout this goal when we had our first meeting before school started, " Clendenin said "Everyone paid a greater price in bringing us to this point. What happened tonight just show you what belief in yourself can accomplish.
The Jackets, who played before the largest group of Leesburg fans in the school's history, came onto the court with state title stamped all over them, Before Marianna woke up, Clendenin's kids had reeled off 13 straight points and had used 4:01 of the first period. The Bulldogs got their first score on a shot by Gerald Thomas at that point. Leesburg held a 23-6 advantage when the stanza ended.
"We played like champions for eight minutes and then we played like seven year olds for the next four or five minutes Clendinen said But these kids aren't 30 year old and they still have a thing or two to learn, I'm just glad they were able to holed everything together the rest of the way, Marianna played well after the first period and I think they showed what kind of people they have by not giving up. They kept coming at us even though we had them down by a pretty good spread"
Ed Chatman scored eight points during the opening expansion and finished the contest with a game high 23. Bo Peeples, who turned in a brilliant defensive effort, found the range for the first time during the last two weeks, pumping in 21.
"I see that my team captains led us in scoring tonight," added Clendinen, Both of them displayed great leadership all season. They picked a good way to finish their high school careers."
Eddie Ellis, the Bulldogs fine outside shooter and probably the teams best player, summed up the feelings of Marianna about the Jackets in two sentences "They have the best High School Basketball I have ever seen I think they could beat everyone in the state." Ellis paced the losers with 14 points.
Marianna did mount a mild comeback in the second period behind Ellis and Ronnie Chambers. Both canned eight points during the strecth. The Bulldogs cut the Jackets first break lead from17 points to10 when the buzzer went off at halftime. "we turned the ball over nine times in the second quarter" Clendinen said. "of course we had a talk about that at the half".
Marianna dropped in a pair of free throws of the hand of Marvin Harvey to open the third stanza. Bo Peeples countered for the Jackets with a jumper. The remaining seven and a half minutes was a see-saw affair. But the Bulldogs pulled within seven points at the 2:28 mark before two baskets, one each by Peeples and Chatman upped the Yellow Jackets margin to eleven 50-39 as the quarter concluded.
'There were times in the second half that we had a mental lapse,' commented Clendinen. "But we never let the game get out of hand and that's the sign of a true champion, "I thought Marianna showed a lot class when they came close and then pulled away. They lost but they never quit."
Leesburg outscored the Bulldogs by a 21-12 count in the final period Both coaches went to their bench late when it was evident the Jackets had the title in the bag.
"We're just not used to that kind of defensive pressure", said Marianna Coach Andy Free "Leesburg never lets down. They looked strong in the last period as they did in the first."
Randolph Farrior led the winners in the final stanza with seven points. He ended the game with 11.
But these kids aren't 30 years old and they still have a thing or two to learn, I'm just glad they were able to hold everything together the rest of the way, Marianna played well after the first period and I think they showed what kind of people they have by not giving up. They kept coming back at us even though we had them down by a pretty good spread"
Ed Chatman scored eight points during the opening expansion and finished the contest with a game high 23 . Bo Peeples, who turned in a brillant defensive effort, found the range for the first time during the last two weeks, pumping in 21.
Ed Chatman scored eight points during the opening expansion and finished the contest with a game high 23. Bo Peeples, who turned in a brilliant defensive effort, found the range for the first time during the last two weeks, pumping in 21.
"I see that my team captains led us in scoring tonight," added Clendinen. Both of them displayed great leadership all season. They picked a good way to finish their high school careers."
Eddie Ellis, the Bulldogs fine outside shooter and probably the teams best player, summed up the feeling's of Marianna about the Jackets in two sentences "They have the best high school basketball team I have ever seen I think they could beat everyone in the state." Ellis paced the losers with 14 points.
Marianna did mount a mild comeback in the second period behind Ellis and Ronnie Chambers. Both canned eight points during the stretch
Chatman, who would be a cinch for the tournament's most valuable player regardless of class if they voted one, controlled the backboards as if he owned them by pulling down 22. The Jackets' Johnny Williams claimed as many off the glass as the Bulldogs leader, Marvin Harvey, Both had eight.
Mathis Walker was the game's assist leader with seven, Walker, who is the Jackets only returning starter played a super defensive game and quarterback the Leesburg offense well both when Clendinen's charges were racing down the court and when they went into their famed four corner set up. The 5'9" marvel has to be rated with the best point guards in the state perhaps being the finest of the lot. "Leesburg didn't seem to have any weakness at all," added Coach Free. They're quick at every position and they have the right attitude that is needed to play that kind of defense. Its very hard to knock them off balance with that kid Walker controlling things. He's a super ball handler," The Yellow Jackets shot well from the field as they chalked up a better than average 54 percent.
Turnovers were even, both clubs committing 13. But the rebound figure was all Leesburg as Chatman and company held a wide 40-25 margin. The Jackets displayed poise at the charity stripe, hitting 19 of 24 attempts while the bulldogs dropped in 7 of 12. That's a 12 point difference which certainly was a factor in the outcome.
In other tournament finals Boone outquicked favored Deland 73-68. The Braves used tactics similar to the one's Leesburg used during the regular season to defeat Deland.
Boone entered the final period 10 points up, but the Bulldogs rallied with 16 points during the eight minute strecth. That wasn't good enough as the Braves fired in 12 straight free throws in the final 1:30 to insure the Orlando School history.
Pernell Tookes scored 28 points for the victors while Oliver Lee hit 32 for Deland.
In the afternoon title games, Pahokee defeated defending AA champions Clearwater Central Catholic 79-76 behind the 32 point performance of James Borroughs. Carl Cramb countered for the Marauders with 25 but a 19 points third quarter for the Blue Devils proved to be the difference.
Malone routed Coral Gables Deerborne in the Class A final 65-60. The Tigers were in control all the way after jumping out to an 18-12 first stanza lead. Malone was paced by Amos Wallace who canned 22 points. Coach Marvin Lassiters club had four players in double figures.
Marianna 6-20-13-12-51
Leesburg 23-13-14-21-71
Marianna-Ellis 6-2-14; Page 2-0-4; Harvey 5-3-12; Chamber 3-2-8; Thomas 5-0-10; Jones 1-0-2; Totals 22-7-51
Leesburg Walker 2-0-4; Peeples 9-3-21; Chatman 9-5-23; Williams 3-2-8; Janeczek 0-2-2; Legons 0-2-2
Totals 26-19-17
Fouls Marianna 17, Leesburg 14
Bo Peeples: "Its a dream come true. Some us have been getting ready for this for six years, I don't think Marianna was as sound as Jesuit."
Johnny "Snap" Williams: "I feel good. We were ready. We had to play good defense again. They came better than I thought Jesuit did."
Ed Chatman: "I think this was my best game all year both offensively and defensively. Its wonderful to end my high school career with a state championship. I think it was meant for us to win because we worked so hard. Nothing would make me unhappy right now".
Mathis Walker: "I feel very proud of the whole team. We knew we had a chance to win it when the season started. I don't think any team in the state is as tough as we are."
Randolf Farrior: It feels great to me. We got knocked out of it last year but this year it's different. Marianna played tough because they never gave up. I respect them for that."
Frank Janeczek: "I can't describe how great it feels to win the state championship. Its wonderful"
Wayne Taylor: It feels good to be on the team even though I didn't play much this season.
Resources
Mel BarlowSports Editor
Daily Commercial
Monday March 14, 1977
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Leesburg Ends A 25-year State Drought
A Stellar Defensive Effort Through Three Quarters Propelled Leesburg By Atlantic.
Boys Regional Basketball Finals
LEESBURG -- After being one of the state's winningest basketball teams during the past nine years, Leesburg's boys ended a 25-year absence from the state tournament Saturday night in a packed Ray Hayes Memorial Gymnasium.
Leesburg (29-5) used a stifling defense for three quarters, and a 26-point performance from senior guard Brandon Kelley to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 78-62 victory over Port Orange Atlantic in the Class 4A, Region 2 final, played before a crowd of about 1,000.
The Yellow Jackets, who will play in the semifinals Thursday against St. Petersburg Lakewood, an 86-54 winner over Lakeland Kathleen, last made it to the state tournament in 1977 when they won the Class 3A state title.
Leesburg, which has won at least 20 games in eight of the past nine seasons, reached the regional final last year before losing to Belleview.
"We promised ourselves after that Belleview game that we would get to state this year,'' said Kelley. "We knew we had the team and the talent to make it to state, but we knew we were going to have to work to get there.''
That work paid off with one of Leesburg's best defensive efforts of the season. The Yellow Jackets limited Atlantic (21-9) to only 28 points in the first three quarters. Their focus was on Sharks' guard Kyle Lefebvre. Lefebvre only had four points entering the fourth , but finished with 16.
"What we tried to do was take No. 3 [Lefebvre] out of the game,'' Leesburg Coach Chad Keller said.
Leesburg 78, Port Orange Atlantic 62
Resources
March 3, 2002
Joe Williams
Staff Writer
Orlando Sentinel
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
Cuyler is team leader looking to make history at Middle Tennessee
CURT YEOMANS, Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
Daily Commercial
December 14, 2005
LEESBURG, Fla. - Fats Cuyler knows a thing or two about making school history. The former Leesburg standout has led two teams to big tournaments after long droughts.
In high school, he led Leesburg to its first state tournament appearance in 25 years.
As a player at Cowley County Junior College (Kan.), he led his team to its first regional championship game in 50 years.
Now the Middle Tennessee State senior co-captain is trying to lead his team to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989.
"History proves I've been part of winning programs, and I'm looking for history to repeat itself," said Cuyler, a 6-foot guard.
The Blue Raiders are 4-2 and will face non-conference challenges against Louisville (Dec. 20 in the Billy Minardi Classic) and Memphis (on Jan. 4, 2006).
Cuyler, who is averaging 13 points, 3.2 rebounds and two assists, feels the Blue Raiders' strength of schedule will prepare the team for play in the Sun Belt Conference, which begins in January. Middle Tennessee, which was picked to finish third in the East Division, will host the Sun Belt Conference Championships on March 2-7.
Cuyler believes in leading his teammates by example. He comes to practice to play hard every day, hoping his attitude will rub off on his younger teammates. He is the first player to go hard at practice, while his co-captain, junior forward Kyle Young, is the second person. Cuyler can't explain his dynamic with Young, but he said leadership comes naturally to them.
"True leaders are not always the people who lead in scoring or rebounds," Cuyler said. "They're the people who lead by example."
But Young describes Cuyler as the team's real leader. He said Cuyler works hard every day in practice, but he also works on making his co-captain a better leader by getting Young to be more vocal during games.
In high school, he led Leesburg to its first state tournament appearance in 25 years.
As a player at Cowley County Junior College (Kan.), he led his team to its first regional championship game in 50 years.
Now the Middle Tennessee State senior co-captain is trying to lead his team to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989.
"History proves I've been part of winning programs, and I'm looking for history to repeat itself," said Cuyler, a 6-foot guard.
The Blue Raiders are 4-2 and will face non-conference challenges against Louisville (Dec. 20 in the Billy Minardi Classic) and Memphis (on Jan. 4, 2006).
Cuyler, who is averaging 13 points, 3.2 rebounds and two assists, feels the Blue Raiders' strength of schedule will prepare the team for play in the Sun Belt Conference, which begins in January. Middle Tennessee, which was picked to finish third in the East Division, will host the Sun Belt Conference Championships on March 2-7.
Cuyler believes in leading his teammates by example. He comes to practice to play hard every day, hoping his attitude will rub off on his younger teammates. He is the first player to go hard at practice, while his co-captain, junior forward Kyle Young, is the second person. Cuyler can't explain his dynamic with Young, but he said leadership comes naturally to them.
"True leaders are not always the people who lead in scoring or rebounds," Cuyler said. "They're the people who lead by example."
But Young describes Cuyler as the team's real leader. He said Cuyler works hard every day in practice, but he also works on making his co-captain a better leader by getting Young to be more vocal during games.
"These young guys (the Blue Raiders have nine newcomers) are going through tough times in the transition to this level of basketball," Young said. "Fats does a good job in leading them and showing them everything will work out."
Cuyler's dedication is something Blue Raiders coach Kermit Davis appreciates. Davis calls Cuyler the spirit of the team and the kind of player a coach enjoys working with. Players who don't practice what they preach won't be respected by their teammates, Davis feels, and it is the responsibility of Cuyler and Young to hold the team together.
"(Fats) is one of the best leaders and hardest workers I've seen in my 23 years as a coach," Davis said.
Cuyler's leadership abilities are perhaps a result of what he is doing in the classroom. He will graduate in May with a degree in Economics, and this semester he's taking classes in management, close relationships, coaching, marketing and business law.
"Management and leadership tie into each other and show me how to deal with different people," he said.
Money or potential fame aren't the driving forces that are keeping Cuyler focused on getting his degree. Born right after he finished high school, his 3-year-old daughter, Liyana, is the center of Cuyler's world. Cuyler's mother, Donna, is raising Liyana while he attends college.
Cuyler wants to provide a good life for his daughter and be a success in life because of her. Davis said Cuyler has discussed his daughter with him on several occasions and he wants to be a good father.
"She keeps me going," Cuyler said. "Because of her, it's my goal to become a successful person in life."
Cuyler is already planning his future. He plans to play basketball professionally or to become a coach or a business owner. Cuyler and Davis have discussed the possibility of him being graduate assistant and, possibly, an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee. Davis told him to take two years off and decide what he wants to do with his life, and he'll hire him if he chooses to be a coach. Davis has hired former players as assistants in the past.
"Being a coach is about loyalty and hard work," Davis said. "If he takes the same level of responsibility as a coach as he does as a player, he'll make a great coach."
Cuyler has already taken on a coaching role. He has been working with his younger teammates and has helped them improve as players. Young feels Cuyler's absence will be a key loss for the Blue Raiders next year.
"He's teaching these guys who are just coming into the program and helping them improve and fill his spot when he's gone," Young said.
Davis believes Cuyler will have plenty of opportunities to succeed in the future. He feels Cuyler will play professional basketball, and, eventually, become a coach who leads his team in the same manner he has led as a player.
"It's in his hands," Davis said. "He's going to do whatever he wants to do with his life."
Resources
Curt Yeomans
Daily Commercial
December 14, 2005
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
Cuyler Signs To Play For MTSU, April 23, 2004
 |
| FORMER LEESBURG YELLOW JACKETS STANDOUT FRANCIS "FATS" CUYLER AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE |
The Ex-leesburg Star Will Go From Junior College To Middle Tennessee State.
LAKE SPORTS
Leesburg's boys basketball team now has two former players in NCAA Division I programs, and Coach Chad Keller couldn't be prouder.
Last week, during a visit to Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn., guard Francis Cuyler signed with the Blue Raiders. Cuyler joins another Leesburg grad, Marlyn Bryant (University of South Florida), as former Yellow Jackets playing Division I.
"We are all very excited because Francis is now our second guy to go out there and sign a Division I scholarship,'' Keller said. "I just made a point with my entire program yesterday [Tuesday] and I told them there was something special that separated Marlyn Bryant and Francis Cuyler from everyone else I have coached.
Last week, during a visit to Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn., guard Francis Cuyler signed with the Blue Raiders. Cuyler joins another Leesburg grad, Marlyn Bryant (University of South Florida), as former Yellow Jackets playing Division I.
"We are all very excited because Francis is now our second guy to go out there and sign a Division I scholarship,'' Keller said. "I just made a point with my entire program yesterday [Tuesday] and I told them there was something special that separated Marlyn Bryant and Francis Cuyler from everyone else I have coached.
"They will be college players and college graduates. I told the players, if you go to every teacher who taught them and they will tell you there was something special about each of them. They are just first-class kids. They are respectful of everyone. Back then, I knew those two guys had something special.''
Cuyler, a 6-foot guard, played the past two years at Cowley County (Kan.) Community College, where he averaged 18.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game last season. He was a preseason community college All-American this season, led the Jayhawk Conference in steals (80) and had the 12th-best scoring season in school history (583 points).
By signing with Middle Tennessee (17-12), Cuyler joins a program that was on the verge of making it to the NCAA Tournament this past season -- losing to Louisiana-Lafayette 70-66 in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game -- and has the majority of its starters returning. But the Blue Raiders are looking to replace three senior guards, including four-year starter Tommy Gunn, point guard Keith Connor and wing Marcus Robinson.
"They needed a perimeter player. They were losing their leading scorer [Gunn] and I felt real comfortable around their players,'' Cuyler said about his visit to the school last week. "We have a chance to go to the [NCAA] tournament.
"When I went there [Middle Tennessee], it kind of caught me by surprise. When you think of Middle Tennessee, you kind of thing of it as being a small school. But the school has a big arena.''
Cuyler, who already had visited the University of Evansville (Ind.) and canceled planned visits scheduled with Illinois State in Normal, Ill., and Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas, when he signed.
"Fats [Cuyler's nickname] represents what we are all about -- toughness, winning and he's been extremely well-coached at [Leesburg High School] and in junior college,'' Middle Tennessee Coach Kermit Davis said in a release from the school's media relations department. "He has a big heart, he wills his team to win, plus he's a very talented guy. He shoots for a high percentage, and he has a skill level that makes others around him better.''
Keller, meanwhile, believes the success of Bryant and Cuyler can serve as examples of what can be accomplished by his players if they work hard on the court and in the classroom.
"We have had a lot of guys sign basketball scholarships out of Leesburg High School,'' Keller said. "But once they get there, for some reason they don't get the job done in the classroom. But Francis and Marlyn are doing everything right, on the court and off the court.
"They are just great role models for our kids.''
Resources
April 23, 2004
Joe Williams
Sentinel Staff Writer
Orlando Sentinel
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
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