Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Jackets Schedule One Of The Toughest In The Nation, February 7, 2012

2011-2012 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball Varsity Team
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
February 7, 2012

LEESBURG -  When second year head coach Marcel Thomas took over the Leesburg High School Boys Basketball program in 2010, he had visions of building a national powerhouse. Leesburg already has established itself as a state perennial powerhouse with 11 FHSAA Boys Basketball State Final Four appearances. Thomas set the goal of bringing national attention to the Jackets with playing one of the toughest high school basketball schedules in the nation.

"Almost every game there is a target on our back since we won state last year,"  said 2012 University Of Miami (FL) football signee D'Mauri Jones. "Every team comes in and try to play us their best. The crowd is going to be hyped, so you have to stay humble and do what we have to do."

Leesburg has played a total of seven #1 ranked teams during the 2011-2012 season. They also have played four nationally ranked teams during that span. Leesburg returned four starters and ten lettermen off of last years Class 4A State Championship team. Thomas knows his veteran squad will be ready for the district tournament this week after being tested every night by some of the nations best. They have played in some of the most prestigious high school basketball tournaments in the nation, Kingdom of The Sun, Wekiva's Metro vs. Florida Challenge, Showdown in O-Town, Hoop Mountain Classic and the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament.

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

Senior D'mauri Jones
The Jackets are attempting to become the first Boys Basketball team to repeat as state champions in Leesburg High School history. This team is used to playing in hostile environments, they played all of their playoff games on the road last year en route to the state title. Leesburg won all five playoff games by a average of nine points in 2011.

"My experience as a coach allowed me to understand that we had the pieces for a championship last year," Thomas said. "I feel the same with this group, If we can find a way to put it all together we could be back in Lakeland in March"

The Jackets have been pointing towards the postseason since the buzzer sounded at last years state championship game. They came into this season as the favorite to repeat as state champions.

"We always discuss winning another state championship," Thomas said.

Leesburg High School second year head coach Marcel Thomas
Thomas is a young energetic coach who loves being around the game. He has the energy to commit to his program year round. Basketball is now a year round sport and you need young coaching talent like Thomas to have a premier program. He has a unique coaching philosophy. He doesn't concern himself with what the opponent does well but what his team does well. 

This team is primed to make a run at another state championship and the Jackets know that the only thing that can derail that goal is themselves.

"We're just coming together, the only thing we have to worry about is ourselves first," Jones said in a recent interview with Gerald Lacey on the Lake County Sports Show. "In order to be the best you have to play the best. We try everyday to stay humble and wish for the best."

Below is a list of some of the teams and their ranking that the Jackets have faced in the 2011-2012 season.
Montverde Academy ranked #14 Powerade Fab 50

Orlando Olympia ranked #2 Class 8A Maxpreps

Gainesville ranked #5 Class 6A Maxpreps 6A

Basha ranked #1 overall in Arizona according to maxpreps.com

Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer ranked #4 Class 8A 2011, Class 5A Boys Basketball State Champions

Orlando Lake Highland Prep ranked #1 Class 4A

Orlando Christian Prep #39 Powerade Fab 50, #1 2A 2011 Class 1A State Semifinalist

Eustis ranked #5 Class 5A

Lake Wales #1 Class 5A, 2011 Class 5A State Runner-up

Mount Vernon (NY) #29 Powerade Fab 50, #2 Class 2A, 2011 Class 2A Boys Basketball State Champions

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Article written 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.
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