Super 16 boys basketball preseason rankings, November 20, 2011

( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / November 12, 2011 )
D'mauri Jones and Undra Mitchem from Leesburg High School with their state trophy from 2011 in Orlando, Fla. during Varsity Boys Basketball media day on Saturday November 12, 2011.

LEESBURG - The Fightin' Yellow Jackets of Leesburg High School will open the 2011-2012 season as the favorites to win the Class 6A Boys Basketball State Championship. Leesburg second year head coach Marcel Thomas and his veteran squad will be seeking the school Third State Title in the programs storied history. They start out the year ranked number five in the Orlando Sentinel Super 16 Boys Basketball Preseason Poll. 

Expectations are high as the Jackets return four starters and ten Letterman from last season's State Championship team. Senior PG Joe Toolie (6-3 158), the 2011 Class 4A State Final Four MVP gives Thomas a veteran ball handler and leader to run his offense. At 6-3 Toolie has the ability to shoot over opposing guards and is deadly from three point range.

Varsity Boys Basketball Media Day
( JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL / November 12, 2011 )
D'mauri Jones from Leesburg High School in Orlando, Fla. during Varsity Boys Basketball media day on Saturday November 12, 2011.

Senior forward D'Mauri Jones (6-5, 185) who led the Jackets in rebounds throughout the 2011 playoffs is back and will be a force to be reckon with on the boards. If Jones picks off where he left off in the rebounding department the Jackets could find themselves in position for another run at a state title. Jones made the State Final Four all tournament team last season and was a Class 4A Boys Basketball All-State Selection in his junior year.

Coach Thomas is delighted to have Jones back for season and thinks he can help lead them to another state title.

"D'Mauri is a great kid!! I believe he will have a better year this season because his future is set already," Thomas said in a recent one on one interview with Gerald Lacey. "No Pressure, just enjoy the rest of his high school career and hopefully go out in style. We are looking toward him as a leader this season and he has already embraced that role."

 "We Build Face Book Fan Pages That work"

I recently asked Coach Thomas how does he feel about this season team versus last season team and he thinks this team could have a special year. He said he wasn't surprised about winning it all last year and feels this group can accomplish the same thing. Thomas has put together one of the toughest schedules in the state to prepare his Jackets for the playoffs.

"All the events that we play in this year are star powered with high quality squads," said Thomas on this season's schedule. "The big picture for us is to play the best. We would like to be prepared for our district, region, and state tournament."

Winning a State Championship took a while to set in for the Thomas and his Jackets. Over the summer Thomas realized they had completed the ultimate goal for the 2011 season and wanted to experience the same feeling at the end of this season. The Jackets know that the road will be tough but have been preparing all offseason with repeating as State Champions as their goal.

"The championship sunk in this summer a little bit, but right now I'm just trying to prepare for this journey with this team," said Thomas reflecting on winning it all. "I was not surprised by winning last year. My experience as a coach allowed my to understand that we had the pieces for a championship last year. I feel the same with this group. If we can find a way to put it all together this year, we could be back in Lakeland in March."

"We always discuss winning another state championship" 

  

Below is the Super 16 Boys Basketball Preseason Rankings:

By Buddy Collings, ORLANDO SENTINEL

7:47 p.m. EST, November 19, 2011

1. Montverde Academy (22-4): New coach Kevin Boyle had national No. 1 teams in New Jersey. The goal hasn't changed.

2. Orlando Christian Prep (24-6): Seniors Isaac Cohen, Jordan Montgomery lead loaded squad.

3. Olympia (22-8): Titans' time again. Top four back as seniors; three signed early.

4. Dr. Phillips (27-6): RaShawn Powell takes over where Shane Larkin (Miami) left off.

5. Leesburg (28-4): Four of top six scorers back for run at repeat state title.

6. First Academy (25-6): New coach, Bill Bufton, greeted by four starters.

7. Jones (25-6): A state title, four runner-up finishes and 10 district crowns over 13 seasons.

8. Hagerty (21-9): Five key veterans and shooters at every spot.

9. Lake Highland Prep (21-8): Sophomore Joel Berry triggers quick, athletic team.

10. Father Lopez (22-6): Green Wave look ready to roll at every position.

11. West Orange (19-9): Eight veterans, good size, and PG Jaylon Bell to orchestrate.

12. Winter Park (27-6): Two-time defending state champs brought only three backups back.

13. Wekiva (16-11): Ten seniors departed; junior PG Josh Filmore and others must step up.

14. Lake Brantley (17-9): Nine seniors hope to make run at Hagerty in deep district.

15. Faith Christian (25-6): Again looks like top 10 team in its class, but in district with OCP.

16. Timber Creek (18-9): Three starting guards cocked and ready to shoot 3s.

Watch list: Boone (9-17), Clermont East Ridge (14-11), Cypress Creek (19-10), East River (14-11), Evans (15-10), Kissimmee Osceola (23-8), Lake Howell (18-11), Lake Mary Prep (20-7), Oviedo (18-9), Port Orange Atlantic (20-7), Port Orange Spruce Creek (25-6).

— Buddy Collings

Resources

Buddy Collings

Orlando Sentinel

bcollings@tribune.com 

www.orlandosentinel.com  

November 20, 2011

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.