Leesburg Basketball: MARCEL THOMAS

Showing posts with label MARCEL THOMAS. Show all posts

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Marcel Thomas Resignation Stuns The Jacket Nation, Saturday, July 27, 2013

Former Boys Basketball Head Coach Marcel Thomas is leaving Leesburg to take over the boys basketball program at All Saints Academy of Winter Haven.

By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
July 27, 2013

LEESBURG - Marcel Thomas is leaving Leesburg High School after leading Leesburg to two State Championship Game Appearances. Thomas is leaving to coach boys basketball for All Saints Academy of Winter Haven. All Saints Academy will be the fifth coaching job for Thomas during his career. Thomas was 67-46 in four seasons as head coach at Groveland South Lake (2005-09) and is 191-108 for his career, including two stints in Virginia. He will arguably go down as the greatest basketball coach in the history of Leesburg Basketball.

Thomas told reporters that he was no longer happy at Leesburg and the direction that the program was headed. He also said there was lack of support by the school's administration as reasons for leaving.

Leesburg High School 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Champions

“I just wasn’t happy at Leesburg,” Thomas said on Thursday. “I love the kids there. But the administration didn’t really embrace the success that we’ve had as a program. It was time for me to pack up and go.”

Thomas led Leesburg to it's first state title in 34 years in 2011 and followed that performance with a return trip to the state championship game in 2012. He is only the second African-American Head boys basketball coach in the 94 year history of basketball at Leesburg. Legendary coach Hubert O. Dabney was the first African-American head basketball coach in the early 70's.

All Saints was 12-12 last season under the direction of veteran coach Aubrey Whitaker, formerly of Lake Highland Prep, Lake Wales and Frostproof.

“They’re definitely going in the right direction as far as athletics,” Thomas said.

Thomas record is outstanding at Leesburg leading them to 20 win seasons in each of his three seasons at the helm. His record at the school is 72-20 during his tenure. What is impressive about this record is that he accomplished this playing one of the nations toughest schedules. Thomas brought back the swagger to Leesburg Basketball and he certainly will be missed by the Jacket Nation.

Gerald Lacey is a senior sports writer covering Leesburg High School Sports for the Carver Heights Quarterback Club. You can reach him at geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Head Coach Marcel Thomas Postgame Quotes, January 6, 2012

“The first time we played them we were still trying to shake off our football legs."

“If we’re playing well and hitting on all cylinders, I believe it would be hard for them to beat us.”

Marcel Thomas

Postgame quote after win over Gainesville High School

Head Coach Boys Basketball

Leesburg High School

January 6, 2012

Monday, December 19, 2011

Leesburg wins its second straight Lake/Sumter County Tournament title, December 17, 2011


Leesburg basketball players Undra Mitchem and D'Mauri Jones led the Yellow Jackets to Lake/Sumter County Championships tournament title. (Joshua C. Cruey, Orlando Sentinel)

By Joe Williams, Orlando Sentinel

10:34 p.m. EST, December 17, 2011

LEESBURG — A sluggish first-quarter by Leesburg in Saturday night's championship game of the fifth annual Lake/Sumter County Championship boys basketball tournament, gave Mount Dora hope.

Hope that it could hang with last year's FHSAA Class 4A state champs.

But that hope was fleeting.

Leesburg (7-2) put together a 12-0 run during a 4-minute, 42-second span in the second quarter to take a 30-19 lead and the Yellow Jackets never looked back on their way to a 71-46 victory.

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"I was concerned," Leesburg coach Marcel Thomas said. "I knew if we came out sluggish, Mount Dora is a scrappy team and they would take advantage of it. They battled us."

It's the second consecutive Lake/Sumter championship by Leesburg after Clermont East Ridge won the first three.

The Hurricanes (5-6) showed great effort — best illustrated by a play Kenny Dupont made in the third quarter — diving over his team's bench and landing on his stomach between the bench and the bleachers trying to save a ball from going out of bounds.

Dupont, the Hurricanes' leading scorer this season, averaging 20 points a game, was in foul trouble most of the game, picking up his third personal with 2:31 left in the second quarter and spending the rest of the half on the bench.

That third foul came in the midst of the Leesburg run that was started with a jumper by Undra Mitchem with 4:30 left. It didn't end until Mount Dora's Treybean Jones scored with 10 seconds left.

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Before that run, Mount Dora had shown some resiliency, coming back from an 11-3 deficit to tie the game at 11 before the end of the first quarter. Two 3-pointers by Zachariah Frazier helped the Hurricanes open a 17-13 lead with 6:31 left in the second quarter. Leesburg opened a 19-17 lead, but a basket by Dupont with 4:52 left, tied the game at 19.

In the third-place game, Umatilla's Duke Streeter hit a bank shot with 15.2 seconds remaining and then blocked a shot on a drive for the tying basket by Cory Evanson as the Bulldogs (5-6) defeated Groveland South Lake 68-66.

The victory came after South Lake (1-7) managed to fight its way back into the game after halftime. The Eagles opened up as much as a 57-50 lead with 7:16 remaining on seven consecutive points by Evanson in a 10-second span. Five of those points came on free throws.

"We came out in the first half and didn't play the kind of game we want to play," South Lake coach Scott Cornman said. "We got in the locker room at halftime and talked about battling back."

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Streeter led the Bulldogs with 19 points and Jess Hall had 15. South Lake was led by Dario Fletcher with 18.

"We are having the kind of season where we are having to learn how to win," Umatilla coach Jason Guido said. "I believe our guys are starting to believe that we can win. I think we are capable of beating anybody.

"Every time we win, every time we beat back a team that is coming back, every time we come from behind, is showing them they can win."

jrwilliams@tribune.com or 352-742-5921.

Resources

Joe Williams

Sentinel Staff

Orlando Sentinel

www.orlandosentinel.com

December 14, 2011

Leesburg Public Library
http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

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

Monday, November 21, 2011

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."

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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

Monday, April 4, 2011

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 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

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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

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

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Leesburg head coach Marcel Thomas nominated for coach of the year, March 24, 2011

LEESBURG YELLOW JACKETS 1ST YEAR HEAD COACH MARCEL THOMAS NOMINATED FOR THE FLORIDA DAIRY FARMERS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

March 24, 2011

LEESBURG - The postseason awards nominations are starting to add up for 1st year head coach Marcel Thomas. Thomas has been nominated for The Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year award. He led Leesburg High School to it's 2nd Boys Basketball State Championship in the school's history. It is the school's first state title since 1977 ending a 34 year drought.

Leesburg is the eighth team to win a state title as a district runner-up since 1999.

“I am extremely proud of our team for setting high goals and then working hard to achieve them,” said Coach Marcel Thomas. “Hopefully, this is another step in the overall improvement of Leesburg High School.”

LEESBURG YELLOW JACKETS 1ST YEAR HEAD COACH MARCEL THOMAS

Thomas led his team with only two seniors starters to five straight road playoff wins by average of 11 points. Thomas coaching abilities were on display in the Class 4A State Championship Game, when sophomore guard Undra Mitchem, Jr. started losing his balance near the Leesburg bench. Thomas quickly got the referee's attention and called a timeout preventing a momentum changing turnover late in the game. He has found a way mold a young team that is full of 5 star prospects (every starter is ranked in the Florida Hoops Top 50 in their respective graduating class) into a unselfish offensive juggernaut.

"Coach Thomas works with the talent available to him," Mobley said. "If he doesn't the players to run the transition game, he doesn't force it on them. He can draw up some wonderful plays and he knows how to play defense, so there's a lot more to him than just rolling the ball out on the floor.

"He knows how to communicate with his players and they respond to what he says."

He's the ultimate player's coach. There are times when he seems more like one of his players rather than the guy who holds chalkboard sessions in the locker room.

In many ways, he still has a lot of player in him, even though he has sat at the head of the bench for the past nine years.

During his playing career, Thomas played at Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colo., where he was named Defensive Player of the Year. He also played college basketball at Florida State University and Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.

Thomas has embraced the programs tradition and formed relationships with former players including members of the 1977 Class 3A State Champions. He has turned Leesburg back into a basketball powerhouse with his unique coaching style and ability to communicate with his players, booster club and alumni. He has four starters returning in 2011-2012 including the State Tournament MVP PG Joe Toolie, the teams leading scorer. The Jackets are favored to win the title again in 2011-2012. A Preseason USA Today Top 25 selection is not out reach for the Jackets next season with Thomas at the helm.

"Leesburg has everything it needs to be a quality program," said Head Coach Marty Seidlin Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. "It has a great coach and players that always show a lot of heart and hustle. They would have no problem competing with other teams on our schedule - and beating many of them. You don't have to be in a major metropolitan area to be the best."

"We've got great fans," Thomas said. "The best. We get support from the student body and the community. They help to keep us going late in the fourth quarter, when we're tired and things aren't going our way. They help to get us over the hump. Without our fans, I'm don't know if we're playing for a state championship.

Resources

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