Former Jacket Jed Bedford scores 36 in win over Clayton State University, March 7, 2003

CSU’s Jed Bedford (Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida) led the attack with 36 points, hitting 9-of-19 from the field 7-of-13 from 3-point land and 11-of-12 from the free throw line.

Clayton State falls 87-79 to Columbus State in Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals  
 

COLUMBUS, GA --- March 7, 2003 --- The Clayton College & State University men’s basketball team’s season came to an end Saturday in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament but not without a battle till the end.

 

The Lakers fell 87-79 to Peach Belt Conference champion and nationally ranked Columbus State University at the Lumpkin Center in Columbus . The loss ends the Lakers season at 17-12, while Columbus improves to 25-4 and advances to the second round of the semifinals of the tournament on Saturday to face the University of South Carolina Spartanburg .

 

“They finished the season 1-2 and 3-3 over their last six games,” said Clayton State coach Gordon Gibbons. “Tonight I thought they ( Columbus State ) just played great, we’re the best defensive team in the league percentage wise and they shot 55 percent. What can you say? We couldn’t make a big shot and couldn’t make free throws.”

Trailing 43-42 with 17:19 remaining in the game, the Cougars went on a 11-2 run over a three-minute stretch in the second half and led 54-44 on a three-pointer by Deshawn Bowman to push their lead to double digits.

 

The Lakers traded baskets with the Cougars for the next nine minutes before having one last chance in the final four minutes of the contest. Down 75-67, the Lakers had an opportunity to cut into the but missed two layups and two free throws in a two-minute stretch, thwarting a comeback attempt.

 

Columbus State won the game behind its best shooting of the season from the perimeter, hitting 55 percent (28-of-51) from the field, which included 52 percent (12-of-23) from three-point territory.

 

CSU’s Jed Bedford led the attack with 36 points, hitting 9-of-19 from the field 7-of-13 from 3-point land and 11-of-12 from the free throw line.

 

“ Bedford is something else,” said Clayton State coach Gordon Gibbons. “We’ve prepared for him three times. He is an amazing player, just when you think you have him he comes up with another big shot. Their guard play is as good as you see in D-II basketball.”

 

   

Jamal Johnson, in a return to his hometown of Columbus , GA , kept the Lakers within striking distance all night, scoring a team-high 22 points, hitting 9-of-13 from the floor to go along with seven boards.

 

“I was excited about coming home and playing in my hometown,” said Johnson. “I wanted to win this tournament. “They made shots and played defense. Jed Bedford, he didn’t miss much.”

 

CCSU’s Lamar Rodgers ( Jonesboro , GA ) chipped in a season high 16 points, including draining four three-pointers. Leon Parker ( Miami , FL ) had a career high 15 points, followed by senior Jonathan Reed ( El Reno , OK ) with 10 points.

 

Columbus State jumped out to a quick lead, 15-4, hitting their first seven shots from the floor. The Lakers, however, weathered the storm and cut the deficit to three points, 24-21, on a basket by senior Mike Phenizee ( Pittsburgh , PA ). The Lakers trailed 38-35 at halftime after two free throws by Johnson in the closing seconds of the half.

 

Clayton State controlled the boards in the game, outrebounding the Cougars 33-28 and committed only 14 turnovers compared to 15 for the Cougars. The Lakers shot 44 percent from the field, hitting 28-of-64.

 

Behind Bedford ’s 36 points, Bowman finished with 18 points, followed by John Thomas with 16 points and 12 boards. 

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.

FORMER JACKET STANDOUT BRANDON "BK" KELLEY PLAYER OF THE WEEK, FEBRUARY 26, 2007

Lakers’ Kelley selected Peach Belt

Conference Player of the Week

Senior guard become the first Clayton State to receive conference’s weekly honor this season
 

MORROW, Ga. – FEBRUARY 26, 2007 – For the first time this season, a Clayton State Laker has received the weekly men’s basketball honor for the Peach Belt Conference. The conference released its weekly Player of the Week honor on Monday, and Clayton State’s Brandon Kelley was selected Peach Belt Player of the Week.

The 5-foot-11 senior guard from Leesburg, FL, Kelley averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and four assists in the Lakers’ last two games of the regular season. He began the week with 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds in Clayton State’s thrilling 70-68 victory over Augusta State in a Peach Belt Top 25 showdown. That was followed by 24 points and eight rebounds in the Lakers’ last-second 64-62 defeat against Georgia College on Saturday.

In those two games, Kelley shot an impressive 65 percent (15-for-23) from the field and a sizzlin’ 80 percent (4-for-5) from 3-point range.

For the season, Kelley is averaging 13 points and four rebounds a game and is shooting 72 percent from the free throw line and leading the team in steals with 53. He’s ranked fourth in the Peach Belt in steals.

Clayton State finished the regular season 21-6 overall and 10-6 in the Peach Belt. The Lakers open Peach Belt Conference Tournament play with a 1 p.m. showdown against USC-Upstate on Friday at Lander.

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.
 

 

Former Jacket Douglass earns NABC First-Team Southeast District honors

Jarrell Douglass earned NABC First-Team All-Southeast District honors following one of the most accomplished seasons in program history

Limestone's Douglass earns NABC First-Team Southeast District honors

By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director

NABC All-Southeast District Teams

GAFFNEY, S.C. – After completing one of the most impressive seasons in the history of the program, Limestone College men’s basketball redshirt-junior forward Jarrell Douglass (Leesburg, Fla.) has been named NABC First-Team All-Southeast District. He is now eligible to be considered for State Farm Coaches’ Division II All-America status.

Douglass averaged 20.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and shot .553 from the field and .781 from the free throw line as he helped lead the Saints to a 23-7 overall record and first-ever Conference Carolinas Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

The native of Leesburg, Fla. had a tremendous season that featured a number of impressive individual game performances. Highlighting that was his career-high 47 points and 10 rebounds against Catawba at Time Warner Cable Arena, home of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, on December 11, 2010.

On the season, he has recorded 15 games of 20 points or more, including 30 against Mars Hill on December 18, and 10 double-digit rebounding games with a career-high 14 at St. Andrews. He equaled that mark with 14 boards and 18 points in a first-round Conference Carolinas Tournament victory over Mount Olive.

Douglass followed up that performance with 23 points, four boards, five assists and three blocks in an 81-77 semifinal win over Barton and capped the tournament with 21 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a 68-59 championship game victory over Coker. He totaled 62 points and 29 rebounds for the tournament and then capped off the season with 18 points and seven rebounds as he played all 40 minutes in the Saints NCAA Tournament First Round game.

He also has 1,051 career points and became only the sixth Saints player to reach 1,000 points in the Division II era and is the first to reach that mark in his first two seasons on the court. He is currently fifth on the Saints all-time scoring list and is in position to become the program’s all-time leading scorer since transitioning to NCAA Division II.

In addition to the National Association of Basketball Coaches, a number of organizations have recognized Douglass for his superior performances this season. He became the first ever Conference Carolinas First-Team selection for Limestone, was named Most Valuable Player of the Conference Carolinas Tournament and was a Daktronics All-Southeast Region Second-Team selection.

Douglass was one of five Conference Carolinas players to appear on either the first or second team but only one of two on the first team.

2010-11 NABC All-Southeast District Teams
First-Team
Phillip Brown, Georgia Southwestern
Jarrell Douglass, Limestone
Reggie Hopkins, Queens (NC)
George Johnson, Augusta State
Brandon Robinson, Clayton State
Chris Woods, Pfeiffer

Second-Team
Richard Barbee, Belmont-Abbey
Timmy Downs, Clayton State
L.J. Dunn, Barton
Franck Ndongo, Augusta State
Josh Roper, Brevard

Resources

Joshua J. Darling

Sports Information Director

www.golimestonesaints.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.

 

4 Jackets named to Orlando Sentinel All Lake/Sumter Counties boys basketball teams

JUNIOR POINT GUARD JOE TOOLIE DEFENDS A LAKE WEIR PLAYER

All Lake/Sumter Counties boys basketball teams

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

March 31, 2011

LEESBURG - The nationwide media attention continues for the Leesburg High School Boys Basketball team. Four Yellow Jackets were placed on the Orlando Sentinel All Lake/Sumter Counties Boys Basketball team last month. All four players selected were starters on the 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship team. It was the second state title in the program's storied history and first since 1977. 

The players named to the team were Joe Toolie Jr, Teron Wallace, D' Mauri Jones and Undra Mitchem, Jr. 

Joe Toolie, Jr. and Teron Wallace were first team selections. D' Mauri Jones was placed on the second team and Undra Mitchem, Jr. was place on the third team.

Leesburg 1st year head coach Marcel Thomas had nothing but praise for the players, school administration, former head coach Colt McDowell and the Leesburg community after the players were named to the team.

"So many people played a part in our success," Thomas said. "School administrators have always been supportive and helpful. Coach McDowell left a solid program in place and provided me with a talented group of players to work with, and the players bought in to what we wanted to do. Parents of the players let us coach and the community rallied around us. 

Toolie is a 6' 4", 158 lb, Junior Point Guard who led Leesburg in scoring and assists this past season. He was second on the team in steals and was a defensive catalyst for the Jackets. Toolie also has been named the Florida Diary Farmers Class 4A Player Of The Year. He will return in 2011-2012 with a solid chance of being Mr. Basketball next season. He is one of the six finalists for the award this year that includes Winter Parks Austin Rivers son of Boston Celtics head coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers. His 3 pt shooting help lead the Jackets to it's first state title in 34 years.

LEESBURG SENIOR TERON WALLACE

Joining Toolie on the first team is senior Teron Wallace who was the Jackets second leading scorer this past season. The 6' 3" 170 lb seniors outstanding performance at the state final four landed him on the All-Tournament Team. He ended his career at Leesburg with a 17 point performance against Tampa Blake and a 14 point outburst in the state championship game against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. Basketball is in his genes his mother Regina Larris-Peeples also played in a state championship game with Wildwood in 1991 and was a four year starter for the Wildcats. He was the only senior starter for the Jackets for most of the year and provided superb leadership on the court for the young but battle tested Jackets.

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

Leesburg's D'Mauri Jones goes up to shoot 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

Junior D' Mauri Jones was placed on the second team after a monster performance down in Lakeland at the state final four. He was placed on the All-Tournament team he averaged 18.5ppg, 4rpg, 3apg at the state tournament. Jones is a two sport star at Leesburg and is being coveted by several schools in football and basketball.

The 6' 6", 175 lb, junior shot 58% from the field last season and is one of the four returning starters next year for Marcel Thomas. He shot 88% from the field on 12/17/2010 against longtime rival Eustis High School, he finished the game with 18 points and 9 rebounds. 

He is expected to have a phenomenal year in 2011-2012 as Jackets will try to become the first team to repeat in the school's tradition rich history.

Nature Coast senior forward Matt Dennis dribbles up court against Leesburg's Undra Mitchem during the 2011 Class 4A-II Regional final.

Sophomore Undra Mitchem, Jr. landed on the third team, he is one of the three sophomores to be named to the team.  Mitchem a 6' 2" 165 lb. guard average 9.9 ppg last season for the Jackets. 

Below is the rest of the 2011 All Lake/Sumter Counties Boys Basketball Team

LAKE/SUMTER

Player of the Year : Steve Moundou-Missi, Montverde Academy, 6-6, Sr.

The Buzz : Academic achiever bound for Harvard was Mr. Reliable on the court for Eagles.

First Team

Patrico Garino, Montverde Academy, 6-6, Jr.

Kasey Hill, Montverde Academy, 6-0, Soph.

Michael May, East Ridge, 6-5, Sr.

Joe Toolie, Leesburg, 6-3, Jr.

Teron Wallace, Leesburg, 6-2, Sr.

Second Team

DeForest Carter, Montverde Academy, 6-2, Sr.

D'Mauri Jones, Leesburg, 6-4, Jr.

Jason Pimentel, Montverde Academy, 6-8, Sr.

Lance Roberts, Villages, 6-0, Sr.

David Williams, East Ridge, 6-5, Sr.

Third Team

Darian Anthony, Tavares, 5-10, Jr.

Kenny Dupont, Mount Dora, 6-3, Jr.

Josh Ellis, Mount Dora Bible, 6-3, Soph.

Ed Perry, Eustis, 6-0, Sr.

Undra Mitchem, Leesburg, 6-2, Soph.  

Resources 

Collings 

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.

 

Ed Chatman and Jackets chain Lee - led 'Dogs, 66-60, February 1977

PG Mathis Walker

By Mel Barlow

Sports Editor

LEESBURG -  It was everything it was built up to be and even more. The Leesburg Yellow Jackets - Deland Bulldogs contest Tuesday night at Ray Hayes Gym was played before a packed house of screaming fans who either came to see their fifth ranked Jackets or the eight ranked Bulldogs. And the majority went away limp after viewing Leesburg's assault of the taller but slower visitors. The 66-60 score could have been larger if the host club hadn't made some costly errors down the stretch.

"I was extremely pleased with our showing," said head Jacket Bill Clendinen. "We executed well throughout and played our usual strong defense. It's a credit to these kids ot have some back tonight against this kind of team after losing to Forest Friday.

"This has to be the most rewarding win of the season."

Deland came into the confrontation with memories of the Jackets 45-44 victory only a month ago. Behind the deadly shooting of 6-7 Oliver Lee, the dogs took a 13-8 lead after the first eight minutes. Lee fired in 10 points during that span and came down with  several key defensive rebounds.

Then with 5:49 remaining in the half. Deland added two points to that margin, 19-12, and it looked like the Yellow Jackets were out to be caught in the middle of a giant offensive explosion.

But that never happened as Leesburg begin to chip away, and suddenly found themselves down by one, 19-18, just 60 seconds later, Bo Peeples pumped in an 18 footer while Ed Chatman canned two shots to narrow the margin.

After trading baskets for the next two minutes, Leesburg finally took the lead, 26-25, with 1:36 remaining. Frank Janeczek got the job done from the foul line, hitting both ends of a one and one.

Frank Janeczek

Johnny Williams popped one from in close to put the Jackets in front again after a Joes Ortez bucket with less than a minute left. But a 15 foot jumper by Lee sent the visitors into the locker room with a 29-28  advantage. 

"We played them close in the first half and I felt we could get to them in the second half," Clendinen said. "The four corner offense helped us slow things down a bit in the third and fourth period's. Mathis Walker was the shortest player on the floor by four inches or so, but when we went into the four corner, it was his ballgame. He was sensational in helping us control things when we had a small lead"

Bo Peeples put the Jackets in front with less than a minute gone in the third stanza on another 15 foot shot. But Deland came right back on a Kevin Lewis layup. Then it was Peeples again from the outside and the host squad led, 32-31.

Deland, again found the range, scoring six quick points and the visitors appeared to be on the verge of controlling the contest. But with 3:53 remaining in the stanza, a Johnny Williams effort swing the advantage back to the Jackets, 38-37.

Johnny "Snap" Williams

After Oliver Lee Sizzler from outside put the Bulldogs ahead 39-38, Leesburg's Ed Chatman hit two quick buckets to give the AAA power the advantage, 42-39, and the Jackets never trailed again during the remaining eight minutes.

"It was another team effort," said Clendinen. "We just kept the pressure on them and after a while we had control of the game. And if we hadn't made some mistakes in the late going, we could have won by a few more points."

Leesburg built the lead to 10, 54-44, at the 3:33 mark of the final quarter, but saw the Bulldgos come within four, 54-50 with three minutes remaining.

"Our kids wouldn't give Oliver the ball," said Art Parissi, Deland mentor. "I was quite upset about that because we needed him to put the ball up as often as he could.

"Now I'm not taking anything away from Leesburg. They are an outstanding team that could play with any AAAA team in the state. Their coaching is excellent and it's hard to believe that five kids can play that kind of defense for 32 minutes. They've now beat us twice fair and square and I'm glad we don't have to face them again."

Ed Chatman paced the Yellow Jackets offensive attack with 25 points But Chatman's defensive effort turned out to be as important, since the 6-3 senior blocked four shots and pull down 14 rebounds against the 6-7 Lee and 6-9 Kevin Lewis.

Lee scored 19 points his season average, but fouled out midway of the final period. Lewis really wasn't a factor in the contest and only contributed four points.

"Leesburg is a very good basketball team," said Lee.

"They put a lot of pressure on you and that hurts a team like us since we don't have the quick guards like they do." "But don't count us out . We'll be there when the state tournament starts," said the preseason Prep All-American.

The Jackets upped their record to 25-2 while the Bulldogs dropped to 19-7. Leesburg received some additional good news after the game, when word came that Gainesville BuchholzOcala Forest, 62-61, giving the Jackets undisputed claim to the Big Sun Conference Title. defeated

We didn't want to back into it," said Clendinen. "But since Buchholz helped us out, we're going to take up a collection and send Woody Clyemer Flowers."

Apopka.

Score by quarters:

Deland 13-16-10-21--60

Leesburg 8-20-14-24--66

Deland - Lee 7-5-19; Lewis 1-2-4; Goodwin 4-2-10; Grady 3-0-6; Clark 1-2-4; Jones 1-0-2; Ortez 3-4-10; Wilkes 1-3-5 Totals 22-18-60

Leesburg - Chatman 10-5-25; Farrior 2-3-7; Walker 1-4-6; Peeples 6-0-12; Williams 4-2-10; Hood 0-2-2; Janeczek 1-2-4; Totals 24-18-66

Fouled out: Peeples, Leesburg; Lee, Goodwin, Grady Deland.

Resources

Mel Barlow

Sports Editor

Daily Commercial

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.

Clendinen, Chatman and Florida team fall short in national finals, July 5, 1977

By Mel Barlow

of the Leesburg Commercial

July 5, 1977

Bill Clendinen's Florida AAU basketball team ran into difficulty Sunday Afternoon. The setting was the finals of the National Youth AAU Basketball Tournament at Boca Raton High. The opposition was Detroit, Michigan, the eventual 96-90 winners in this prestigious event.

After falling behind by 19 points midway of the first half. Clendinen's kids began a movie script comeback which placed them in front of the Michigan club at halftime, 52-48. "I was pleased with that turnaround. "Clendinen said. We were hurt early and late with turnovers. Detroit has some people in the backcourt that put tremendous pressure on our movement down the floor."

We gave away too many opportunities for them to score easy baskets. They didn't give us the chance to use our size and we stood around too much inside."

Detroit had its act together before tournament began. Florida was hurt by a lack of togetherness.

"They were the better team out there this afternoon," said Clendinen. "Now what I mean is they played together as a team. We did not"

"I honestly believe we had the best material in this tournament. But we didn't display that today."

Even though Detroit moved the ball with precision, the big factor was Florida's inability to get the ball down the floor without confusion.

"We were pressed so much that we took a lot of off balance shots," Clendinen said. "It hurts to lose a game like this the way we did."

Detroit had five straight steals in the first half, four by Jerome Akins and one by Edgar Merchant. Akins is  6-0 while Merchant is 5-10. Both played with intense aggressiveness during the title game.

The lead changed hands numerous times during the final 20 minutes of action. With the score tied at 80 with 6:11 left, Leesburg's Ed Chatman dropped in a a shot to put his team in front. But when Reggie Hannah missed a technical and personal foul shot, Detroit made a move that went them in front to stay with 2:02 remaining.

Jay Vincent, a 6-7 leaper, hit two charity shots, followed by Merchant's layup, which came with five seconds remaining Chatman scored the final points for Florida with 2:16 left in the contest.

"We just didn't do anything offensively in the last two minutes of play," Clendinen said. "Of course Detroit's pressure during that span of time kept us away from the basket."

"The best team won today. I didn't say the best talent. Detroit certainly deserved to win with their team effort today."

James George and Billy Williams paced Florida. Oliver Lee and Hannah fired in 13, while Chatman canned 12.

Vincent and Earvin Johnson hit 26 and 25 points respectively for the winners. Johnson was selected Offensive Player of the tournament while Florida's James George was named Defensive Player of the event.

George and Chatman blocked two shots each during the contest.

"The talent is here," Clendinen said. "If we have more time to work with the kids before next year's tournament, well I believe we can win it."

Florida's other entry, Gold Coast, lost to Seattle in the consolation game.

Resources

Mel Barlow

Leesburg Commercial

July 5, 1977

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 ends Blake's magical run, March 5, 2011

Class 4A Semifinal: Leesburg vs Blake

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

Leesburg's Robert Jones goes up to the basket 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

Blake's magical run ends

By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 5, 2011

LAKELAND - It had all the makings of a storybook ending.

The Blake boys basketball team, the No. 1-ranked team in Tampa and all of Class 4A, had reached the FHSAA state tournament for the first time in school history since the school reopened in 1997 and was chasing the school's first team state title.

In addition, the players were striving to win a state title for longtime coach Winston Davis, who had battled cancer all season and, after 27 years as a coach, was making his first trip to the final four.

On Friday, however, Blake's magical season came to an end with a 68-52 loss to No. 2 Leesburg in the Class 4A state semifinals.

Leesburg (27-4) will face Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons in the 4A final today at noon.

Class 4A Semifinal: Leesburg vs Blake

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

Leesburg's Undra Mitchelm goes up to shoot 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.

Junior guard Brandon Channer led Blake (28-3) with 20 points, while senior guard Andre Smith added 16 points. D'Mauri Jones led Leesburg (27-4) with 18 points, while Teron Wallace added 18.

Blake shot 36 percent from the floor and went 6-for-16 at the line, while Leesburg, which shot 43 percent and made 17 of 36 free throws, outrebounded Blake 46-37. At one point, Leesburg owned an 18-8 edge in offensive rebounds.

"We made some mistakes that at one point hurt us," Davis said. "They shot the ball better than we expected them to shoot it. We missed a lot of shots. We didn't shoot very well at the free throw line, 3-point line or two-point field goals, but we were still in the ball game."

Blake led 9-5 after the first quarter but was outscored 24-12 in the second. Leesburg pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Blake 27-14.

Leesburg coach Marcel Thomas said rebounding and limiting Smith, Blake's top scorer, was his main strategy.

"We knew Blake was a good rebounding team," he said. "This week, we focused on boxing out. Preparing for them, it worked out for our guys."

Smith, who will play for Division I Winthrop University in the fall, was 6-of-23 from the field and was 3-of-10 from beyond the arc.

"We were better, but they wanted it more than we did," Smith said. "They played like they wanted it more than we did. They outhustled us, they outrebounded us and they did the small things and it turned into big things, and that's what made them look like a better team than us."

Though the loss was devastating, Davis, who has coached at Blake since 2001 and attended Blake before it closed in the early 1970s, remained positive.

"It was a good run for Blake High School." he said. "It's been a long time since we had run like this, even though the school closed down for 30 years. It was fantastic. There was a great feeling, all over the city."

Resources

Nick Williams

The Tampa Tribune

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

(813) 259-7851

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.

Jackets Teron Wallace named to BHSN 2011 All-Central Florida Boys Basketball Team

Class 4A Semifinal: Leesburg vs Blake

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

Leesburg's Teron Wallace goes up to the basket 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.

LEESBURG - Leesburg's Teron Wallace has been named to the BHSN 2011 All-Central Florida Boys Basketball Team. Wallace help lead Leesburg to the FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship last month. It was Leesburg's first State Final Four appearance since 2002 and the 5th time overall in the programs storied history. Leesburg Head Coach Marcel Thomas praised Wallace and his teammates for their work effort this past season.

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

  

Teron Wallace a senior was the second leading scorer for the Jackets this past season with 11.3 ppg. He was named to the FHSAA 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball All-State Tournament team. Teron Wallace was one of the 15 finalists for Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball award given to the best high school basketball player in the state of Florida. Wallace had 17 points in the Class 4A State Semifinal Game against Tampa Blake. Wallace also added two 3-pointers and totaled 14 points and four assists in the Class 4A State Championship Game against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.

By BHSN STAFF
Last Updated: Monday, March 21, 2011

ORLANDO -- 

  In a BHSN.com Exclusive, here's the 2011 All-Central Florida Boys Basketball Team

1st Team
G Austin Rivers - Winter Park, Sr.
G Shane Larkin - Dr. Phillips, Sr.
G Dewayne Gallimore -West Orange, Sr.
G Angelo Warner - Jones, Sr.
C Steve Missi - Montverde Academy, Sr.

2nd Team
G Marcus Maye - Holy Trinity, Jr.
G Isaac Torres - Lake Howell, Sr.
G Joe Toolie - Leesburg, Jr
F Dennis Diaz - DeLand, Sr.
C Schuyler Rimmer - Boone, So.
3rd Team 

G Dillon Graham - First Academy, Jr.
G Michael Sanchez - Kissimmee Osceola, Jr.
G Hunter Koepsell - Oviedo, Sr.
F Adonis Burbage - Orlando Christian Prep, Sr.
C Deion Bernard - Hagerty, Sr.
Honorable Mention – Darius Andrews, Dr. Phillips; Drekalo Clayton, Evans; Brett Comer, Winter Park; Marc Eddy-Norelia, Olympia; Kasey Hill, Montverde Academy; Dalton Barnes, Spruce Creek; Joel Berry, Lake Highland Prep; Isaac Cohen, Orlando Christian Prep; Tyler Coons, First Academy; Steven Hughes, Palm Bay; Shane Jones, Port Orange Atlantic; Austin Keel, Winter Park; Michael Mestre, DeLand; Leonard Richardson, Seminole; Reid Ridder, Father Lopez; Lance Roberts, Villages; Wilfredo Rodriguez, East River; Marko Smith, Lake Mary Prep; Lance Stokes, Lake Highland Prep; Teron Wallace, Leesburg; Matt Williams, Jones

*The team was compliled by the BHSN Sports Staff, based on performance from the 2010-11 high school basketball season

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com

 

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