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( 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) |
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.
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).
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| 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.”
"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.
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| 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."
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.
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| 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
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.
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