The Excitement Continues In Leesburg, March 31, 2011

The Excitement Continues In Lake County 

By Bill Buchalter, BHSN H.S. Insider
Last Updated: Thursday, March 17, 2011  

ORLANDO --  
Proclamations, declarations, parades of athletes, perhaps even some confetti, too.

Little old Lake County was right in the middle of all this excitement.

The Leesburg boys basketball team relived a magical moment for the city when it celebrated the state championship with a parade that culminated with a visit to City Hall. The parade brought back memories of 1977, would you believe 34 years ago, when Bill Clendinen created a defensive mind-set that had opposing coaches shaking their heads and opposing coaches bewildered by the energy.

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Ed Chatman was the all-star team leader. Leesburg crushed a good Marianna team by 20 points in the title game, thanks to a suffocating defense that produced a slew of easy baskets.

Clendinen was well prepared to coach that title team. He was a top assistant for Hugh DurhamTates Locke at Clemson. Later in Clendinen’s career when he was working in school administration in Lake County, Locke, then working as an NBA scout, asked Clendinen to check out an area high school player. He told his old friend and boss to get on the bandwagon. That player was Orlando Cypress Creek senior A’Mare Stoudemire, now with the New York Knicks. at Florida State and

That 1977 success was multiplied by Orlando Boone, led by Coach Wayne Rickman and senior star Pernell Tookes, who upset favored DeLand in the 4A championship game. DeLand was led by 6-9 Gumby Lewis and 6-7 Oliver Lee who arguably was a better high school talent than his nephew who came along later. His name was Vince Carter, yes the same Vince Carter starring in the NBA. Lee played collegiately for Al McGuire at Marquette.

Boone’s triumph closed out a four-year domination (Reaching the Class 4A final for four consecutive years) known as the Metro Conference’s Golden Era of high school basketball. Winter Park Coach Bobby Marr and shooting star Stan Pietkiewicz lost to Miami Jackson in ’74 but the Jackson Wonder Five’s title was vacated for using ineligible players, among them Mychel Thompson who later became an NBA all-star for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Darryl Dawkins and Coach Fred Pennington delivered the ’75 crown to Orlando Evans and the late Dion Rainey and Coach Rudy Tapia, Pennington’s protégé, did likewise in ’76 for Orlando Edgewater..

It wasn’t until 1983 that Orlando won another title with Rickman and Boone beating Jacksonville Jackson.

So the success leading to the Leesburg parade can be tied to the past.

Not only did Leesburg win this year, but so did Winter Park who beat fellow Metro foe and rival Orlando Dr. Phillips in the title game. Ironically, another gifted shooter, Austin Rivers, led the way for Winter Park. It’s too bad the three-point shot wasn‘t around when Pietkiewicz played because his numbers would have been staggering.

So, it’s been a great two weeks for Metro and Lake County hoops. 

The late Austin (Red) Robbins of Groveland and later Chipola Junior College in Marianna, the University of Tennessee and the American Basketball Association, was announced for induction in to the FHSAA Sports Hall of Fame. University of Florida senior Chandler Parsons (Winter Park Lake Howell) was named Southeastern Conference player of the year. He’s the son of Gary Parsons, who starred along with Pietkiewicz and Jesse Cleveland on that ’74 Winter Park team.

Earlier in the month, a number of Olympic athletes visited Grassy Lake Elementary in Minneola.

The special guests were helping students to celebrate Read Across America, a program designed to encourage reading of books by young people. The athletes did some reading to the students and shared their medals and life lessons and focused on the importance of education and how to overcome obstacles..

Among the Olympians, who train at the National Training Center in Clermont or at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, were Beijing bronze medal hurdler David Oliver and 4th place hurdler Damu Cherry, who grew up in Tampa and sprint silver medal winner Churandy Miranda of The Netherland Antilles plus Jamaica hurdler Andrea Bliss.

Resources

Bill Buchalter, 

BHSN H.S. Insider

www.bhsn.com

Article provided by:
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.

 

Class 4A Final: Leesburg 66, Cardinal Gibbons 58

JACKETS CELEBRATE WINNING THE CLASS 4A BOYS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE LAKELAND CENTER AGAINST FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS

 By ROY FUOCO,
LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

LAKELAND | Perhaps it was a good thing that Leesburg guard Joe Toolie had a bad shooting night in the semifinals. His coach knew it wouldn’t happen two games in a row.

Toolie scored 18 points to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 66-58 victory over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Finals at The Lakeland Center.

It was Leesburg’s second state title. The Yellow Jackets, who also were state runners-up twice, won their first title in 1977, the first year the state tournament was played at The Lakeland Center.

“Our guys worked hard this year, and it feels real good for this payoff in the state championships,” Leesburg coach Marcel Thomas said.

Toolie shot 1-for-9 from the field, including 0-for-4 from 3-point range, against Blake on Friday. Against Cardinal Gibbons, however, Toolie shot 6-for-9, including 5-for-7 from 3-point range.

“Yesterday (Friday), I was feeling a little woozy, but I’m feeling better today” Toolie said. “I didn’t plan on shooting that many 3s, but I was feeling it.”

Toolie’s shooting was part of an overall strong-shooting day by the Yellow Jackets (28-4), who shot 48 percent from the field including 52 percent in the second half.

“They shot better than I thought they could shoot,” Gibbons coach Marty Seidlin said. “We tried to get out on the kids who could shoot, and they made shots.”

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It was Toolie’s shooting that helped Leesburg to a double-digit lead in the first half, forcing the Chiefs to play catch-up. His first 3-pointer put Leesburg up 15-11 with 43 seconds left in the first quarter, and the Yellow Jackets led, 17-11, at the end of the quarter.

Toolie hit two 3-pointers in the second quarter with the second giving Leesburg a 13-point lead, 27-14. His fourth 3-pointer gave Leesburg a 16-point lead with 5:32 to play in the third quarter, which was enough of a cushion to hold off the Chiefs’ late comeback attempt.

Toolie’s shooting forced the Chiefs out of their zone, which helped open things inside for D’Mauri Jones, who finished with 17 points. Teron Wallace added 14 points.

Behind Brandon Bradley’s 23 points and Ben Mayell’s 18 points, the Chiefs got as close as six point with about four minutes left in the game, but Leesburg was ableto hold them off.

Cardinal Gibbons (58) — Bradley 10-18 3-4 23, Joe Hajj 3-7 0-0 6, Mayell 7-16 2-2 18, Neely 2-7 1-3 6, Moore 2-6 1-4 5, Maturah 0-0 0-0 0, Goosby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-54 7-13 58.
Leesburg (66) — D.Jones 7-9 3-6 17, R.Jones 2-4 3-8 7, Toolie 6-9 1-2 18, Mitchem 2-10 0-1 4, Wallace 2-8 8-10, Roberts 0-1 0-0 0, Sherrod 0-0 0-0 0, Willis 2-2 2-2 6. Totals 21-44 17-29 66.
Halftime: Leesburg, 27-17. 3-point goals: CG 3-8 (Hajj 0-2, Mayell 2-3, Neely 1-3), Leesburg (Toolie 5-7, Mitchem 0-2, Wallace 2-5). Rebounds: CG 31 (Neely 9), Leesburg (R.Jones 7). Assists: CG 13 (Hajj 5), Leesburg 14 (Toolie 4, Mitchem 4, wallace 4). Total fouls: CG 31, Leesburg 30). Records: CG 19-8, Leesburgh 28-4.

   

Article provided by:
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.

Mr. Basketball, Coach of the Year finalists Toolie and Thomas March 31, 2011

Leesburg High School's basketball coach Marcel Thomas introduces his players to the crowd during a celebration in honor of the high school's basketball team for winning the Class 4A State Championship title, in Leesburg, on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Basketball, Coach of the Year finalists

The following are the finalists for Florida’s Mr. Basketball and Boys Basketball Coach of the Year. Hillsborough County players and coaches well represented on the final ballots. Plant junior guard Michael Frazier was third in total votes for 6A Player of the Year; Blake senior guard Andre Smith finished second in total votes for 4A Player of the Year while Blake coach Winston Davis was third in votes for 4A Coach of the Year; Tampa Catholic coach Don Dziagwa was third in votes for 3A Coach of the Year and Joe Fenlon was third in votes for 2A Coach of the Year.

The six finalists for the Mr. Basketball Award include:
Austin Rivers, Winter Park, senior, 6A Player-of-the-Year.

Jacoby Brissett, Palm Beach Dwyer, senior, 5A Player-of-the-Year.

Joe Toolie, Leesburg, junior, 4A Player-of-the-Year.

Angelo Warner, Orlando Jones, senior, 3A Player-of-the-Year.

Rod Days, Jr., Sagemont, senior, 2A Player-of-the-Year.

Farad Cobb, Summit Christian, junior, 1A Player-of-the-Year.

   

The six finalists for Coach-of-the-Year include:
David Bailey, Winter Park, 5th Year, Class 6A Coach-of-the-Year.

Fred Ross, Palm Beach Dwyer, 20th year, Class 5A Coach-of-the-Year.

Marcel Thomas, Leesburg, 1st year, Class 4A Coach-of-the-Year.

Eli Bryant, Tallahassee Rickards, 6th year, Class 3A Coach-of-the-Year.

Adam Ross, Sagemont, 3rd year, Class 2A Coach-of-the-Year.

Murray Smith, Summit Christian, 6th Year, Class 1A Coach-of-the-Year. 

Resources

TBO.com

Article provided by:
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.

LEESBURG'S JOE TOOLIE WINS ANOTHER POSTSEASON AWARD March 31, 2011

( Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel / March 5, 2011 )

Leesburg's Joe Toolie kisses the state champion trophy while celebrating their victory over Cardinal Gibbons with team mates at a FHSAA Class 4A boys basketball final at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla. on Saturday, March 05, 2011. (Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel)

Jackets Joe Toolie Named Class 4A Player Of The Year 

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

March 31, 2011

LEESBURG - Joe Toolie, Jr. a wiry 6-foot-4 junior point guard finished his 2011-2012 basketball season by leading Leesburg High School to the Class 4A state championship earlier this month. Now he can add Florida Dairy Farmers Class 4A Player of the Year honors to his list of accomplishments. Toolie is among the six finalists for Mr. Basketball award, which goes to the state's top high-school player.

Toolie's postseason awards include, 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Tournament Most Valuable Player and 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Tournament All-Tournament Team.

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Toolie averaged 12.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 33 percent from the floor and 76 percent from the free throw line in leading his team to a 28-4 record and the Class 4A state championship. He shot 71% from behind the arc and was 66% overall in the championship game against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. It was Leesburg first state title since 1977 ending a 34 year drought.

Along with Toolie the other finalists are Austin Rivers, Winter Park (6A); Jacoby Brissett, Dwyer (5A); Angelo Warner, Orlando Jones (3A); Rod Days, Jr., Sagemont, (2A); and Farad Cobb, Summit Christian (1A).

Joe Toolie 2011 Florida Dairy Farmers Class 4A Player of the Year

Toolie showcased his long range shooting skills in the Class 4A State Championship game against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, he led Leesburg with 18 points, four assists and four rebounds, and forced Gibbons to play from behind and abandon its zone defense by going 5-of-7 on 3-point shot attempts. It was the second time this season that he has connected on five 3-points baskets in a game.

“Toolie is a terrific player, He penetrated, he shot it," said Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Coach Marty Seidlin. "He is a talented kid. I see No.1 shooting a 25-foot three, and I am almost happy he is shooting it until it goes through the net. He broke us down with his quickness. He is a legitimately a great high school player.”

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"Joe's the kind of player where if he hits his first two 3s, he's probably going to hit three or four more right after that," Leesburg coach Marcel Thomas said.

Toolie is a heady point guard with a good ballhandling skills at his height. Joe makes the right basketball decisions on the court more often than not, often times setting up his teammates for easy baskets. Toolie has showed the proper shooting mechanics and the definite ability to knock down shots. Joe is most effective in transition making aggressive moves and well placed passes to his teammates for easy layups. 

“Toolie drove to the basket and found the right guy every time,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Marty Seidlin. 

JOE TOOLIE IN 2011 CLASS 4A BOYS BASKETBALL STATE FINAL VS FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS

Toolie has displayed the ability to step up his performance in the big game. His name will now be mentioned in the sentence along with other Leesburg High School greats Ed Chatman, Mathis Walker, Johnny "Snap" Williams, Mathis Walker, Bo Peeples, Alex Upshaw, Ryan Callahan, Marlyn "MJ" Bryant, Randolf Farrior, Leonard Everett, and Fats Cuyler just to name a few.

Perhaps it was a good thing that Leesburg guard Joe Toolie had a bad shooting night in the semifinals. His coach knew it wouldn't happen two games in a row. Toolie shot 1-for-9 from the field, including 0-for-4 from 3-point range, against Blake on Friday. Against Cardinal Gibbons, however, Toolie shot 6-for-9, including 5-for-7 from 3-point range. Toolie scored 18 points to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 66-58 victory over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons in the championship game of the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Finals at The Lakeland Center.

Toolie's shooting forced the Chiefs out of their zone, which helped open things inside for his teammates.

"Yesterday (Friday's State Semifinals game against Tampa Blake), I was feeling a little woozy, but I'm feeling better today" Toolie said. "I didn't plan on shooting that many 3s, but I was feeling it."

Class 4A Semifinal: Leesburg vs Blake
Leesburg's Joe Toolie drives the ball down court during fourth quarter action of a FHSAA Class 4A boys basketball semifinal against Blake at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla. on Friday, March 04, 2011.

Toolie has the chance to stamp his name in Leesburg High School Basketball history will a big senior year. He is argubably one of the top five point guards to ever play at Leesburg High School if not the best. His championship game offensive play will go down as the one of the best ever from a Leesburg player next to Ed Chatman's (23 points 22 rebounds) 1977 championship game performance. Toolie will be one of the four returning starters for Marcel Thomas Jackets in 2011-2012. Toolie started the year ranked #44 by Florida Hoops for the class of 2012. After his championship game offensive explosion look for him to move up on everyone recruiting lists in 2012. 


Toolie has his eyes set on another state title in 2011-2012 and has the chance to become the first team to repeat in Leesburg High School History. The road will be tough but he has the advantage of dishing the ball off to two-sport stars Sophomore 6" 2", 185, Undra Mitchem, Jr and 6' "5, 185, Junior D' Mauri Jones. With the supporting cast in place Joe Toolie is on the brink of doing great things at Leesburg High School.

Article provided by:
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.

What's next for Leesburg's two sport star Undra Mitchem, Jr

BY GERALD LACEY

STAFF WRITER

CARVER HEIGHTS QUARTERBACK CLUB

MARCH 29, 2011

LEESBURG - Leesburg's Undra Mitchem is having one of the most impressive athletic years by a sophomore in Leesburg High School sports history. The accomplishments keep coming for the 6' 2"/185 sophomore sensation. After helping lead the Jackets to the 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship he was named to All Tournament Team at a recent AAU tournament in Tampa Florida.

LEESBURGS' SOPHOMORE SENSATION UNDRA MITCHEM, Jr. ESCAPES A GROVELAND SOUTH LAKE DEFENDER

The two sport start tied a state passing record when he threw eight TD passes in a 61-34 win over Mount Dora. Mitchem broke Mike Napier's 41 year old Leesburg High School regular season passing record. The sophomore QB passed for 1849 yards and 21 touchdowns. He is on pace to shatter all career passing records at Leesburg High School. With Five-Star prospect D' Mauri Jones, Julliard Roberts, Jalen Dozier, returning in 2012 Mitchem will have a experienced wide receiver corps to pass the football to.

Will Mitchem opt for a degree at a Ivy League school or take his football talents to the big stage? He is GPA is 3.5 unweighted and the sky is the limit now for the sophomore in football or basketball. He is rated #28 for the class of  2014 by Florida Hoops. He has the size and arm of a big time college quarterback and he is only going to get better in Coach Randy Trivers offense. Mitchem led Central Florida in nearly every passing category in 2010 as a sophomore.

"Undra has got a long way to go, but he's done a great job running our offense," Trivers said. "He's only a sophomore, so he's a lot of time to learn, but I'm very happy with the leadership he shows on the field and how hard he's worked."

Harvard, Yale, Duke, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Notre Dame just to name a few have place Mitchem high on the recruiting charts. 

He may be the most recruited two sport athlete to ever play at Leesburg by the end of his career.

Mitchem best attribute might be that he doesn't care who he is playing against, who's the talk of the gym, what team he plays for or anything else. He just does his job at the highest level possible. He is a all around scoring machine that sacrifices his personal numbers in order to keep his teammates involved. He has an unbelievable first step and he can blow past his defender with the left or right hand. His midrange jumper is virtually unstop able and he plays well above the rim. When Mitchem gets out on the fastbreak he is Michaelangelo with a basketball, the sophomore never seems to be out of control on the court something unusual for a young player playing among other great players.

( Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel FFW / March 5, 2011 )

Leesburg's Undra Mitchem tries to strip the rebound from Gibbons' Brandon Bradley during first quarter action of a FHSAA Class 4A boys basketball final against Cardinal Gibbons at the Lakeland Center

Mitchem has his sights on winning multiple state titles in football and basketball during his career at Leesburg. Mitchem has the uncanny ability to make others around him better with his unselfish style of play. He also has the ability to carry a team on any given night as he showed in the Class 4A Region 2 Semifinals game vs Lake Weir when scored a game high 20 points to help advance the Jackets the Regional Final. With senior Teron Wallace graduating Mitchem will be asked to do more scoring next season, something that Mitchem should have no problem doing. With Mitchem in the mix at Leesburg look out for big numbers and championships in the next two years at Leesburg High School.

Article provided by:
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.

 

Brandon Kelley, Francis Cuyler And Jarveious Wright Signed Scholarships.

Stars Select Colleges

LAKE SPORTS - High School Basketball - Leesburg

Brandon Kelley, Francis Cuyler And Jarveious Wright Signed Scholarships.

April 12, 2002|By Herky Cush, Sentinel Staff Writer

 

LEESBURG -- Brandon Kelley and Francis Cuyler say they found themselves a town that loves basketball, and Jarveious Wright said he likes the idea of staying close to home.

The three Leesburg basketball stars signed junior college scholarships on Thursday, Kelley and Cuyler to Cowley County (Kan.) Community College and Wright to Pasco-Hernando Community College.

Leesburg Coach Chad Keller presented the trio to his remaining players on the varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams at the school Thursday afternoon.

"We have three guys signing here for their college future,'' Keller told his team. "It is not something you see every day.''

Keller then left it up to his trio of stars to tell why they liked the schools they had chosen.

"The people down there really love their basketball,'' Kelley said as Cuyler chimed in. "They showed us they really would love to have us there and we liked that.''

Cuyler said he and Kelley had talked to the coaches at Cowley and had received a great deal of mail from the school. When they visited Arkansas City, Kan., last weekend, it sealed the deal.

"We had left things open,'' Kelley said. "But when we saw the school and the town, we knew it was for us.''

Cuyler said he was impressed with the school early on and saw how they have been enjoying a great deal of success with the program.

"They have a lot of big men returning,'' Kelley said. "So they can use some help in the backcourt. That means we are going to get the chance to play right off.''

Kelley has been an all-state selection each of the past two years. Cuyler, a starter since his sophomore year, is considered one of the best outside shooters in Central Florida. The pair averaged right at 14 points a game for the Yellow Jackets who this past season, made it to the final four for the first time in 25 years.

Both were around the 3.5 mark in assists per game.

Bobby Bowman, coach at Pasco-Hernando, was there to see the signing of Wright, whom he believes will fall right in line with the other talented players he has recruited from the Lake County area.

"He can do a lot of things for his size,'' Bowman said. "He can defend players his [6-2] size and even bigger.

"He is so active on the floor and he is only going to get better. He plays good defense and has a big upside to him for the future. ''

Wright averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game.

"I began watching Jarveious back in the Kingdom of the Sun tournament and followed him all year,'' Bowman said.

That early interest is what weighed heavily in Wright's selecting Pasco-Hernando, when the Leesburg forward decided to stick close to home for the first two years of his college play.

"They were interested in me from the start of my senior year,'' Wright said. "I really liked that.

"I feel as if I am going to have the chance to develop my game even more down there.''

Resources

April 12, 2002 

Herky Cush

Sentinel Staff Writer

Orlando Sentinel

Article provided by:
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, Kelley Help Yellow Jackets Stay Ahead Of Gainesville Eastside February 27, 2002

Seniors Star For Leesburg

Lake Sports - High School Boys Basketball: Regional Semifinals - Class 4A, Region 2

February 27, 2002|By Richard Burton, Sentinel Correspondent

GAINESVILLE -- With its back against the wall, Leesburg responded with a rally and is now headed to the Class 4A, Region 2 boys basketball finals after a 76-59 road win over Gainesville Eastside in the regional semifinals Tuesday night.

The Yellow Jackets (28-5) saw a 12-point second-half lead cut to one early in the fourth quarter, but used a 20-6 run to pull away from the Rams.

Seniors Francis Cuyler and Brandon Kelley each scored 22 points for Leesburg, which will host either Port Orange Atlantic or Lecanto in Saturday night in the regional finals.

Cuyler and Kelley combined for 15 points during the final eight minutes for the Yellow Jackets.

"When it is a big game, I know that no one is going to outwork us,'' Leesburg Coach Chad Keller said. "That's what I love about these seniors. They really come to battle, especially in big games like this.''

Leesburg's seven seniors provided stability, as Eastside (22-11) continued to fight back in the second half.

"You could see it a little bit on our guys' faces in the third quarter,'' Keller said. "But they really were able to keep their composure and enable us to pull away.''

Leesburg never trailed. The Yellow Jackets took a 6-0 lead and closed the first quarter with a 12-2 run for an 18-8 advantage.

Corey Williams scored 11 points in the second quarter to help the Rams to creep back into the contest, but the Yellow Jackets still led 32-25 at halftime.

Kelley scored 12 points in the opening half and helped Leesburg force 11 turnovers over the first two quarters.

A pair of 3-pointers by Cuyler and Travis Littles, who scored 10 points in the game, sparked a 9-2 run. That gave Leesburg a 43-31 lead with 3 minutes and 24 seconds left in the third quarter before Eastside battled back.

Gerard Jackson made a pair of 3-pointers during a 12-3 run to close the third, which brought the Rams within 46-43.

Williams then scored on a putback just 36 seconds into the third quarter to pull the Rams to within one point, but from there it was all Leesburg.

Kelley scored a pair of key baskets as the Yellow Jackets scored 11 consecutive points to grab control of the contest.

Eastside never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way. Williams led the Rams with 21 points and Jackson added 14.

Eastside finished with 22 turnovers and was just four-of-18 from the floor in the final quarter, after shooting 17-of-36 over the previous three.

Resources

Article provided by:
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.

 

LEESBURG VS. TAMPA BLAKE STATE SEMIFINALS HIGHLIGHTS

 

Leesburg's Freshman Troy Willis To Play in Hoop Mountain Tip-Off Jamboree March 23, 2011

(JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / March 4, 2011) Leesburg's Troy Willis Jr. goes up to shoot during third quarter action of a FHSAA Class 4A boys basketball semifinal against Blake at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla. on Friday, March 04, 2011.

(JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / March 4, 2011)

Leesburg's Troy Willis Jr. goes up to shoot during third quarter action of a FHSAA Class 4A boys basketball semifinal against Blake at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla. on Friday, March 04, 2011.

Hoop Mountain Tip-Off Jamboree brings basketball teams

Boys Basketball, Recruiting — posted by Buddy Collings on March, 25 2011 11:18 AM

Hoop Mountain’s Florida Tip-Off Jamboree will fill the Orlando Magic Recreation Center in Winter Garden (309 S. West Crown Point Rd.) with boys basketball travel teams this weekend.


The 17-and-under and 16U divisions play on Saturday, the 15U and 14U divisions on Sunday – both starting at 8:30 a.m. and wrapping up around 8 p.m.


Entries include perennial travel team powers Nike Team Florida and Each One teach One.


Admission is $8.


Here are some of the local names to look for:
Schuyler Rimmer 6’8,   Boone HS/Florida Rams-Q6
Cartree Pettis, 6’3   Hagerty HS/L2 Panthers
Joel Berry , 6’2   Lake Highland/Each1-Teach1
Jonathan Joseph,  6’4   Oakridge HS/Gold Coast
Terrance Linton, 6’3   Evans HS/Florida Rams-Q6
Adonis Henriquez, 6’4  Cornerstone/Gold Coast
D’Mitri Thompson,  6’4   Orlando Christian Prep/Gold Coast            
Dillon Graham, 6’4   First Academy/Each 1-Teach 1
Jabril Mathis, 6’4   Atlantic/Jacksonville Nets
Deion James, 6’6   Edgewater /FL Tarheels
Damien Ashley, 6’4   Winter Springs/Team prospects
Demarcus Croaker,   6’4   Jones HS/Each1-Teach1
Marquel Willis, 6’4   Oak Ridge HS/FL Fire
Justice Montgomery, 6’0  Orlando Christian Prep/Nike Team FL
Michael Stones, 6’0   Windermere Prep/Venom
Damien Jones, 6’4   Maitland/Each1-Teach1
Lavius Rosemond, 6’4  Ocoee HS/Q6 All Stars
Troy Willis., 6’4   Leesburg HS/FL Fire

Resources

Buddy Collings

Orlando Sentinel

March 25, 2011

Article provided by:
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.