Leesburg Basketball: 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Leesburg Survive Opening Play In State High School Tourney, March 9, 1929

Vero Beach, Lakeland, Robert E. Lee and Leesburg Survive Opening Play In State High School Tourney

Jackets Upset Andrew Jackson And Look Great

GAINESVILLE, March 8 - (AP) Four great teams survived the opening day of the eighth annual Florida state high school basketball tournament today and tonight Leesburg, Vero Beach, Lakeland and Robert E. Lee of Jacksonville, were bracketed in the semifinals, scheduled tomorrow morning at 9:30 and 10:30 respectively. The final game will be played at 8:15 p.m.

Leesburg will clash with Vero Beach, tournament dark horse, and Lakeland will battle Robert E. Lee, in the semi-finals, and the winners will fight it out for the state title tomorrow night.

Leesburg started the day off with a bang, when the mighty Andrew Jackson high of Jacksonville, defending champions, fell 19 to 13, then the Yellow Jacket quintet proceeded to wallop another strong contender in Hillsborough high of Tampa during the afternoon 32 to 17.

Oh, You Cherry!

The Jacket triumph over the Tampa outfit was largely due to the work of Cherry, rangy center, who alone scored more points than the entire Tampa team. Cahill, Leesburg guard, proved a thorn in the side of the Red and Black, as did Rountree.

The big upset of the day came when the unheralded five from Vero Beach smacked over a 22 to 21 victory over Pensacola and came back tonight to dish out an even greater upset by lashing the powerful St. Petersburg team to the mast to the tune of 24 to 21.

Lakeland Strong

Lakeland's powerful Dreadnaughts, considered by some of the observers as a "sure winner," gave first indication of their strength during the afternoon when they swamped the little DelRay outfit 53 to 3, Del Ray not scoring a field goal, a tournament record. Tonight Lakeland came back equally as strong when the Daytona Beach quintet was met and eliminated 27 to 15.
Robert E. Lee of Jacksonville appearing for the first time in history in a state tournament, had little trouble disposing of the Madison five, 36 to 10, during the afternoon, but were put to the limit of their ability during the first half of the game with Palm Beach. Then the Jacksonville entry sent in two substitutes, which nearly wrecked the Palm Beach outfit, and kept the lower coasters from wrinkling the basket from the field during the final period.

An average of 1, 750 persons witnessed each game. Tomorrow night the championship game will be radio broadcast over WRUF, Gainesville.

LEESBURG, 19
                                fg     ft     tp     pf
Rountree, f............. 2     1      5       1
Smith, f.................. 4     1      9       0
Cherry, c................ 2     1      5       1
Cahill, g................. 0     0      0      0
Entz, g.................... 0    0      0      4

Totals..................... 8    3      19    6
Substitution: Herlong for Entz.

ANDREW JACKSON, 13
                                 fg     ft     tp     pf
L. Wolfson, f........... 0     2      2      1
Brownett, f.............. 0     0      0      0
Crenshaw, c............. 0     1      1      0
S. Wolfson, g.......... 0     0      0      0
Adams, g................. 0     0      0      0
Martin, f................ 1     0      2      0
Perkins, f................   4    0       8     3

Totals.....................   5     3     13     4
Substitutions: Martin for L. Wolfson, Perkins for Brownette, Gunn for Adams, and Adams for S. Wolfson.

Legend: Fg, field goals; ft, free throws; tp, total points, ande pf, personal fouls

Resources

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
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.

Leesburg Yellow Jackets Go Forth To Battle For State Basketball Title, March 8, 1929

Cherry Back At Center, Weak But Game, And Team Pepped Up

MEETS ANDY JAX IN FIRST GAME

Some Consider This As Better Than to Meet Lesser Opponent

By Sports Section
Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 8, 1929

With Cherry yet a little weak from an illness that saw him out of bed yesterday for the first time since early in the week, the Leesburg Yellow Jackets left for Gainesville last night to participate in the annual state tournament to decide the championship basketball team of the season. While in Gainesville the Jackets will be housed at the Pi Kappa Phis fraternity house.

At 8 o'clock this morning the Leesburg team meets the muchly talked-about quint of Coach Ray Dickson at the new university basketball court. If the Jackets are successful in their first try will be seen in action again at 5 o'clock, playing the winner of the Perry-Hillsborough game.

Team Snappy

The balance of the squad was in good condition and in high spirits with Cherry back to jump center. In a workout yesterday morning the team snapped through its drill in fine fettle.

Students in numbers to make an impressive showing at Gainesville are planning on making the trip and those together with the "grownups" will make a sizable representation.

Maybe Best

The consensus of opinion locally seemed to favor the meeting of the two strong teams in the first game, fans feeling that the Stingers would undoubtedly be in better condition to play a tough game while fresh than to possibly meet a weaker opponent and then later in the day be called upon to fight for their lives against a seeded team.

Resources

Leesburg

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Cherry May Get Into Game With Jax Team Friday, March 7, 1929

Jimmy Adams Rests Well, But, of Course, Is Out of Contest

By Sports Section
The Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 7, 1929

Belief that Spurgeon Cherry would be well enough to be in attendance at his classes today, was expressed by the father of the pivot man of the high school basketball team yesterday afternoon. A fever in attendance with an attack of tonsillitis had subsided and his general condition had so improved that hope was held that be would be capable of playing Friday morning at Gainesville for the state championship.

At the same time word was heard that Jimmy Adams, guard of the Yellow Jacket team, who was stricken with appendicitis and operated upon Tuesday afternoon is resting quietly and is well on the way to recovery. Of course any possibility of his getting in shape in time for the tournament is out of the question.

Team Works Hard

Meanwhile practice sessions continued as usual with drills to sharpen teamwork and basket shooting marking the workouts. The balance of the squad seemed in good physical condition yesterday with a fine spirit evidenced, those left seeming imbued with the idea that the least they could do was work harder for their coach.

Leesburg fans are speculating as to the probable outcome of the game the Jackets play Friday morning as the curtain raiser of the annual state tournament, some confident that the local boys can take the measure of the doughty Andrew Jackson five, others remembering a 19 to 9 score in favor of Coach Ray Dickson's team earlier in the season.

It seems as though many Leesburg fans will join the caravan to the University City early Friday morning for the 8 o'clock engagement to see for themselves whether the Leesburg team has the stuff to come through.

Resources
Sports Section
The Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 3, 1929

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School

leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com

Stingers Struck By Sickness As Tourney Nears, March 6, 1929

Adams Out For Sure And Cherry On Doubtful List As Yet

Rated as the best team at the tournament by officials there, and paired with the great Andrew Jackson quint of Jacksonville in the first game of the tournament Friday morning at 8 o'clock, the Leesburg Yellow Jackets have an assignment sizable enough to satisfy the most ambitious.

Then along comes the certain announcement that Jimmy Adams stellar guard of the Stinger squad, is definitely out of the picture. The husky sophomore was stricken with appendicitis and yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock was operated upon for the malady. He is resting easily.

And then came word that Spurgeon Cherry, all-district center and mainstay of his team, is home in bed with a case of tonsilitis, Whether the lanky youth will be in condition to play Friday is largely a matter of conjecture. Everything possible is being done for him.

Confident that their boys were due to win the state championship this season after a heartbreaking defeat in the series at Gainseville last year, hope was back in the lineup doing his bit to win the title.

Meanwhile Coach Frank Banning, striving throughout the season to get his men in shape for the final tournament after an early season outbreak of influenza, met this latest calamity with as good grace as possible and sent the balance of the squad through a workout in anticipation of the big game Friday morning.

In the advent of Adam's and Cherry's absence from the squad, Smith would be most probably used at center, Herlong or Hannah taking Smith's post. Rountree, who recently has been playing Adam's guard position will most likely continue to do so.

Resources
Sports Section
The Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 3, 1929

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School

leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com

Jackets Paired With Andy Jax In first Title Play, March 5, 1929

Friday They Tackle One Of Toughest Quints In The State

GAINESVILLE, March 4, - (AP) Florida's sectional high school basketball champions and runners up, numbering 16 teams, will battle for the state championship here Friday and Saturday.

The pairings Friday:
8 a.m., Andrew Jackson vs. Leesburg.

9 a.m., Perry vs. Hillsborough.

10 a.m., St. Petersburg vs. Malone.

11 a.m. Pensacola vs. Vero Beach.

1 p.m. Lakeland vs. Delray.

2 p.m., Gainesville vs. Daytona Beach.

3 p.m., Robert E. Lee vs Madison.

4 p.m., West Palm Beach vs. Bronson.

Resources
Sports Section
The Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 3, 1929

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Yellow Jackets Win District Title, March 3, 1929

DEFEAT DAYTONA IN HARD GAME AFTER A SCARE

Daytona and Leesburg To Go to State Tourney Friday, Saturday

By Sports Section
The Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 3, 1929

Following a first half that sent cold shivers down the backs of Leesburg fans, the Leesburg Yellow Jackets battled a fighting quint of Daytona High to a standstill, taking the lead shortly after the third period opened and forging steadily ahead to a 23 to 12 lead at the final bell.

While the Yellow Jackets defeated the Daytona boys, the Jackettes fared badly in a preliminary game with the swiftly moving Daytona high schools girls, the Leesburg forwards seemingly having an off night, while Summerlan, all-state forward of the Daytona team, was hitting the loop from all angles. The final score stood at 36 to 14, Daytona. Summerlan scored 34 of her team's points.

The Leesburg district champions came from behind a 7 to 5 score at the half to demonstrate to fans that championship calibre had only temporarily deserted them. Cherry and Smith were each held scoreless during the first half.

Beats Tavares

Daytona won its right to battle in the finals in the hardest-fought game of the tournament, edging out a bruising team from Tavares by the margin of one point in a breath-taking finish. Earlier in the day Tavares had beaten Mt. Dora in an upset of the dope, winning 19 to 8. Leesburg had an easy time with Ocoee, piling up a score of 31 to 11. Sanford fell in a hard-fought game to Daytona 22 to 9.

Prizes Awarded

Immediately following the contests in the presence of some 500 fans who packed the lower portion of the auditorium, awards to teams and individuals were made. Leesburg high school was presented with the district championship trophy by O. Raymond Skiles in behalf of the Lake County Chamber of Commerces sports committee.

Daytona was presented with the runnerup prize by Justin E. Langille, in behalf of the American Legion. Sanford was awarded a trophy for having the most sportsmanlike team.

Hughes of Daytona, was judged the most valuable man to his team and was awarded a trophy presented by the Sports club of the Leesburg High School.

Cherry of Leesburg and Clifton of Daytona with 21 and 19 out of 25 trys won first and second prizes in the foul shooting contest, each receiving an award presented by Carl Williams of the high school faculty.

All-district mythical selections placed the following players on the honor teams: First team Smith of Leesburg, and Hughes of Daytona, forwards; Cherry of Leesburg, center; Entz of Leesburg, and Whiteman of DeLand, as guards.

Second team: Pike of Tavares, ande Rountree of Leesburg, forwards; Tomyn of Ocoee, center; Clifton of Daytona, and Cahill of Leesburg, guards.

TAVARES, 19

fg ft tp pf

R. Pual.......................... 2 0 4 0

McCollum.................... 3 0 6 1

Pike.............................. 2 0 4 4

Barksdale..................... 0 0 0 0

Ross Paul..................... 2 1 5 2

Totals........................... 9 1 19 7

Substitutions: Tomas for Pike.

MT. DORA, 8

fg ft tp pf

Morehead..................... 1 1 3 1

Brown.......................... 1 1 3 1

Sadler........................... 0 0 0 0

Perkins......................... 0 0 0 0

Brantley....................... 0 0 0 0

Totals........................... 3 2 8 2

Substitutions: Victor for Morehead, Dooley for Brown, Referee, Felson.

DAYTONA, 22

fg ft tp pf

Evans.......................... 2 2 6 0

Morgan....................... 1 2 4 1

Hughes........................ 2 4 8 2

Parker......................... 2 0 4 0

Clifton........................ 0 0 0 3

Totals......................... 7 8 22 6

Substitutions: Skidmore for Evans, Reese for Morgan and Reese for Clifton.

SANFORD, 9

fg ft tp pf

Hester........................... 0 1 1 3

Spencer......................... 1 2 4 0

Aycock......................... 0 0 0 3

Ponder.......................... 0 3 3 2

Peters............................ 0 1 1 2

Miller........................... 0 0 0 2

Totals.......................... 1 7 9 12

Substitutions: Spencer for Hester, Schirard for Hester, Ponder for Spencer.

LEESBURG, 31

fg ft tp pf

Herlong....................... 0 0 0 0

Smith.......................... 6 0 12 1

Cherry........................ 3 2 8 0

Entz............................ 3 0 6 0

Cahill......................... 0 0 0 1

Adams....................... 0 1 1 0

Rountree.................... 1 2 4 0

Totals........................ 13 5 31 2

Substitutions: Rountree for Herlong, Adams for Smith and Hannah for Cahill.

Ocoee, 11

fg ft tp pf

Minor........................ 1 0 2 1

Shaw......................... 1 0 2 0

Tomyn...................... 1 2 4 1

King.......................... 1 1 3 3

Lawrence.................. 0 0 0 2

Resources

Totals....................... 4 3 11 7

Substitutions: Bell for Shaw and Shaw for Bell.

DAYTONA, 20

fg ft tp pf

Evans........................ 0 0 0 0

Morgan..................... 1 2 4 1

Hughes..................... 5 3 13 1

Parker....................... 0 2 2 0

Clifton...................... 0 1 1 3

Totals....................... 5 8 20 5

Substitutions: Reese for Evans and Evans for Reese.

TAVERES, 19

fg ft tp pf

R. Paul...................... 0 1 1 3

McCollum................ 1 2 4 1

Pike.......................... 5 0 10 3

Barksdale................. 0 0 0 1

Ross Paul................. 1 2 4 3

Totals...................... 8 4 19 11

LEESBURG, 23

fg ft tp pf

Rountree................. 1 1 3 1

Smith...................... 4 0 8 1

Cherry..................... 4 1 9 1

Cahill...................... 1 0 2 1

Entz........................ 0 1 1 1

Totals..................... 10 3 23 5

DAYTONA, 12

fg ft tp pf

Morgan.................. 1 0 2 0

Hughes.................. 3 2 8 1

Parker.................... 0 0 0 1

Clifton................... 0 1 1 4

Totals.................... 4 4 12 7

Substitutions: Eubanks for Clifton, Referee: Cowell, Florida; Umpire; Felson, Florida.

Jacksonville, March 2 - (AP) - Robert E. Lee won the basketball championship of the Third district scholastic basketball tournament here tonight by defeating Andrew Jackson 20-18.

St, Petersburg, March 2 - (AP) - St. Petersburg's Green Devils captured their third straight West Coast district basketball fhampionship here tonight when they defeated the Hillsborough five of Tampa in the finals by 30 to 14.

Lakeland, March 2 - (AP) Lakeland trimmed a fighting five from Vero Beach tonight to retain hold on the district six basketball championship for the fifth consecutive time. The score was 30 to 14.

Madison, March 2 - (AP) - Perry high nosed out Madison High here tonight for the district No. 2 basketball championships by a score of 37 to 33.

West Palm Beach, March 2 - (AP) - Palm Beach High won the South Florida basketball title here tonight, defeating Delray Beacfh 29-9 in the final game of the tournament.

Resources
Sports Section
The Leesburg Morning Commercial
March 3, 1929

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Tory Harrison

Banner year for area's prep sports, December 29, 2011

Published: Thursday, December 29, 2011

FRANK JOLLEY | Columnist
frankjolley@dailycommercial.com

Some fans have said that 2011 was a down year for high-school sports in Lake and Sumter counties.

I couldn't disagree more!

From my perspective, the past 12 months may be remembered as one of the best periods for area prep athletics.

Ever!

We had a state champion in boys basketball, a state Final Four representative in girls basketball, and a state Final Four team in baseball. In addition, an East Ridge senior won the school's first state championship in swimming.

Countless other student-athletes earned opportunities to compete in Florida High School Athletic Associations championships in a variety of other sports, ranging from weightlifting, soccer, golf, and track and field.

Boxing enthusiasts always like to compare fighters using the phrase, "pound for pound."
Taking a few literary liberties and using a little poetic license, "student-athlete for student-athlete" Lake and Sumter County doesn't have to take a back seat to anyone when it comes to performing at the highest level.

Leesburg High School set the stage in late February when its girls basketball team made the school's third appearance in five years at the FHSAA state tournament in Lakeland. Even though the Yellow Jackets bowed out of the tournament after a state semifinal loss to St. Petersburg Lakewood, the tradition of excellence established by coach Mark Oates is recognized by many.

A week later, the Yellow Jackets were heading back to the Lakeland Center when the boys basketball team earned a berth in the Class 4A Final Four. Leesburg was one of only a handful of schools to earn berths in the boys and girls state tournaments.

For many in Lakeland, the Yellow Jackets were the proverbial, "Little Engine that Could." Leesburg was not considered a serious threat to win a state title, but the Yellow Jacket bandwagon picked up steam following a 68-52 win against a highly touted Tampa Blake squad.

After taking care of a few logistical issues, including getting coach Marcel Thomas a fresh suit transported from Lake County to Lakeland, the Yellow Jackets prepared for a championship game against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.

Behind solid efforts on both ends of the floor, Leesburg accomplished what had seemed unlikely only a few days earlier with a 66-58 win. It was the Yellow Jackets' first state championship in boys basketball since 1977.

Among those who made the trek to Lakeland to support the Yellow Jackets were members of the school's previous championship team. The school's past and present titlelists celebrated as one and provided the impetus for a celebration that hasn't been seen within city limits in many years.

Less than a week after Leesburg cut down the nets in Lakeland, city officials closed off downtown for a parade to recognize the Yellow Jackets' accomplishments. Residents lined Main Street as players rode to City Hall in a scene reminiscent of parades following recent World Series, Super Bowl and NBA championships.

With a victory on Tuesday against Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, the top-ranked team in Arizona, at the Kingdom of the Sun holiday tournament in Ocala, the Yellow Jackets made it clear the road to the state championship goes through Leesburg.

In November, East Ridge's Justin Kaisrlik capped a brilliant high-school career with a win in the 200-yard individual medley at the FHSAA Class 3A state meet at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando. Kaisrlik won the race, which consisted of 50-yard segments in four strokes -- butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle -- by nearly a second.
He also finished fourth in the 500 freestyle.

And Kaisrlik, apparently, is not done with his work in the pool. After finishing up his final year at East Ridge, which includes attending Lake-Sumter Community College as a dual-enrollment student, Kaisrlik will take his academic and athletic achievements to the University of Florida.

Eventually, Kaisrlik hopes to represent Team USA at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Throw in the Mount Dora baseball team's appearance in the FHSAA's Class state semifinals in May at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, and a state semifinal berth for the East Ridge football team in November, and 2011 was anything but a down year for high-school sports.

In reality, it was one of the better years for area sports.
Truthfully, it may wind up as the best year.

Ever!

Frank Jolley is a columnist for the Daily Commercial. Write to him at frankjolley@dailycommercial.com.

Resources

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Head Coach Marcel Thomas Postgame Quotes, December 29, 2011

"Tough loss tonight, got to regroup and get ready for another big one vs Lake Highland Prep tomorrow."

Marcel Thomas
Head Coach
Varsity Boys Basketball
Leesburg High School
December 28, 2011

Resources

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Jackets Over #1 Ranked Basha at The Kingdom Of The Sun, December 29, 2011

Leesburg's Juliard Roberts (2) splits Basha defenders Tuesday during second day action at the Kingdom of the Sun. Leesburg won, 73-69, to advance to today's semifinal against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer at 3:30 p.m. (Photo by ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Leesburg over Basha at Kingdom of the Sun

The No. 2-ranked team in the Arizona Freeman Rankings took a fall in the opening round of the Kingdom of the Sun tournament in Ocala, Fla. Leesburg (Fla.) held off Basha (Chandler) 73-69 after leading by 19 points at halftime.
READ MORE CLICK BELOW

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/JIXyOjGdEeG-rAAmVebEWg/yates-needs-comeback-to-survive-first-round-at-les-schwab-invitational.htm

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

1968 Varsity Jackets Boys Baskettball Team Archives

1968-1969 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Junior Varsity Squad

1968-1969 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Junior Varsity Squad

Front Row: T. Ryan, A. Carlton, J.l Kerrison, R. Williams, F. Miller Standing: G. Bell, C. Adlerz, J. Parker, B. Finlayson, Coach Smith, B. Tonczak, M. Dozier, D. Gilchrist, J. Wilson, and R. Brillhart.

Resources

Leesburg Public Library

http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/