Showing posts with label brandon bk kelley. Show all posts

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Gerald Lacey One On One With Brandon "BK" Kelley, December 10, 2011

By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
December 8, 2011

LEESBURG - When you mention great Boys Basketball players that played at Leesburg High School one name has to come mind and that is Brandon "BK" Kelley. Kelley helped lead Leesburg Basketball to great heights during his career. He help end a 25 year State Final Four drought in 2002 when he led the Jackets to the State Semifinals.

This season marks the ten year anniversary of that Final Four trip so I decided to contact Brandon to discuss his storied career and the 2001-2002 season.

Here is a short list of some of his milestones during his storied basketball career:

2001 Class 5A all-state Honorable Mention Team

2001 Class 5A Regional Finalist

2002 Second team Class 4A Florida Sports Writers Association's All-State Team

Varsity Letters 2000-2001, 2001-2002

2002 State Semifinalist

Played one season each at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kan., and at Sante Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla

Sparked Sante Fe to a 26-4 mark in 2004-05 and ranked of sixth in the nation.

Shot 44 percent from 3-point range.

Played in the NJCAA Region VIII All-Star Game.

Scored 30 points and hit the go-ahead free throw with 1 minute and 20 seconds left in a 73-69 win over St. Augustine Nease, top-ranked in Class 3A.

Scored 63 points in 2001 Kingdom of the Sun Tournament

Orlando Sentinel Lake Sports Player of the Week January 3, 2002

Orlando Sentinel Lake Sports Player of the Week March 6, 2002

2000 Great Florida Shootout Semifinalist

2001 Great Florida Shootout Finalist

2001 Kingdom of the Sun Finalist

2001 Kingdom of the Sun All Tournament Team Selection

Most valuable player award at the North Marion Tournament, scoring 38 points in three games.

2004-2005:
All-Mid-Florida Conference selection

Sparked Santa Fe to a 26-4 mark in 2004-05 and ranked of sixth in the nation.

Shot 44 percent from 3-point range.

Played in the NJCAA Region VIII All-Star Game.

2005-2006

Set the Clayton State single-season record for 3-point field goal percentage 47 percent

Led the Peach Belt Conference in 3-point field goal percentage and ranked third in the Peach

Belt in steals.

Peach Belt Conference Player Of The Week February 26, 2007

2006-2007
Led Clayton State to Peach Belt Tournament championship game for the first time in program history.

Led Clayton State to the school's first NCAA Division II Tournament Appearance.

Led Clayton State to a number two national ranking in NCAA Division II Basketball.

Clayton State Career Records:

#10 3pt field goals made career 82

#2 3pt percentage 05-07 .392

#10 Free throws made 173

#4 Steals 123

#2 Steals per game 2.2
Varsity letters - 2005-2007

Here is an exclusive post game interview with Leesburg High School Girls Basketball Head Coach Mark Oates

Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:

Good Morning Brandon how are you today?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"Hi Gerald I am doing fine this morning"

Gerald Lacey:

Brandon you are considered as one of the top ten players to ever play boys basketball at Leesburg High School. You and your teammates helped end a 25 year State Final Four drought in the 2001-2002 season. This season will be the tenth anniversary of that accomplishment. Has the feat finally sunk in after ten years?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"Its been ten years already since me n my team had made history.. wow.."

Gerald Lacey:

I always admired your game and what you bought to the program and court in terms of work ethic, will to win and leadership. On most nights you were the smallest player on the court but you played as though you were the largest on court. One game that sticks out to me was at the Great Florida Shootout in the 2001-2002 season when you guarded 6'7" Travis Outlaw now in the NBA and slow him down that night. What was the driving force behind your playing tenacity and competitiveness?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"Well if anybody know me I don't like to lose in whatever I play. I was always taught to never fear a man no matter the size or hype that comes with it. He bleeds like you and if you want something you have to take it out here on this court. But I have to give my credit to my cousin Chad Chandler (Former Leesburg High School Boys Basketball standout, 1994 Lake-Sumter High School Basketball All-Star) who put the ball in my hands and never stop being my #1 fan and coach."

Brandon Kelley had one of his best defensive games in his career in containing Travis Outlaw (pictured above) at the 2002 Great Florida Shootout in Kissimmee Florida.

Gerald Lacey:
You played in some of the biggest games in the history of Leesburg High School Basketball. Which one of the games standout the most to you?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"I have a few games that I believe was a blockbuster night. It was my junior year and my first year on varsity."

"We were playing Eustis for the first time in Eustis, the crazy thing about that game was that it was sold out by the end of the freshman game plus tickets were sold in school and people still couldn't get in."

"The first play of the game MJ (Marlyn Bryant University of South Florida, Georgia State University, 2001 Regional Finalist, Number is retired at Leesburg.) dunked on Wesley Green (DePaul University, 2001 Regional Finalist) down the middle. We may have lost that game but it was my coming out party, I ended the game with 25 points, I think MJ had 24 and Fat (Francis Cuyler, Middle Tennessee State University, Cowley Community College, 2002 State Semifinalist) had 23 but Green stole the show with 39 points to end the game."

"I had a move that I did in that game that I still can not believe I did, plus the atmosphere was stupid crazy. The game I had 37 points in (Ranked #5 in Class 5A Jacksonville Wolfson February 22, 2001) is a game to remember because it was just us against the world."

"The atmosphere in that place was crazy, I played one of the best high school players I ever seen. It was a all out battle between two good players he scored I scored we both ended the game wit 37 points but, I came out with the victory. That was a night to remember because I poured everything I had into that game and it showed at the end."

Gerald Lacey:

Your games were always a sellout in the old Ray M. Hayes gymnasium on the campus of Leesburg High School. You also sold out most of your road games. You played in the prestigious Kingdom of the Sun and Great Florida Shootout tournaments two years in a row playing very well. Many players you played against played in the league Travis Outlaw and Darius Washington to name a few. What did you learn from the experiences?

Kelley and his teammates lost the Championship game to Darius Washington (pictured above) and Orlando Edgewater in the 2001 Great Florida Shootout in Kissimmee Florida.

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"What I learned from this is love every minute of your playing days because you will never know when your bus is going to stop no matter how good you are."

"One thing I can say is I may haven't made it to the league but what basketball did for me is give me a chance to see the world.

"I'm a black man from Leesburg, Florida who can say, I have been to China".

Gerald Lacey:
What was it like to run out on the court at the Lakeland Center in front of 8500 screaming fans in Black and Orange at the 2002 State Final Four?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"It was the most amazing feeling I ever had. Walking out that tunnel and seeing Leesburg in the gym yelling LEESBURG, LEESBURG put chills all over my body."

Gerald Lacey:
The rest of the team seemed to be a little rattled but you played a great game what did you do to prepare for this game?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"I really didn't do anything different my cousin (Chad) taught me to be ready for the moment, so I always was, Plus the crowd is who I play for. "

Gerald Lacey:
You started your college career out in Kansas then at Santa Fe CC and led them to their best start ever. You went to Clayton State University and had the same results. Your college coach remarked that you were a winner everywhere you played. How did you accomplish this?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"Just going hard out there that's all I knew. Leave everything on the court and the result will be good."

Gerald Lacey:
You went the championship game of a 3 on 3 tournament in your early days how special was that? Who were some of the great players that were there that you competed against?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"It was great because it give me confidence in my game plus we won it. I really don't know."

Gerald Lacey:
Which one of your coaches had the most impact on your career?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
Coach Keller had the most impact in my career because without him I probably would not have been a Yellow Jacket. He gave me a chance plus he believed in me. So I owe him a lot. Thanks Coach Keller."

Former Leesburg head coach Chad Keller at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Gerald Lacey:

The 2002 team had no starter taller than 6'1" and were normally smaller than the opposing team. You guys still put fear in everyone you played with your style of a relentless full court press "32 minutes of hell". You pressed the opponent no matter if you were down 10 or up 25. The press was relentless did you like playing that style of basketball?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"Yes we love it. It gave us a chances to be us wild young guys (organize chaos) lol."

Gerald Lacey:

You learned the game like many others before you on the famous Woodland Park basketball court. What kind of impact did this environment have on your game?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:   "Hollywood was the best everybody there played sports so we would play all day every sport. I learned the game really right there with my childhood friends and watching "MJ" (Micheal Jordon) every Sunday."

"Playing the older guys really help me think the game through."

Gerald Lacey:

Your grandparents house is next door to the famous Mills street playground where you had a chance to play against some of the best ever. You had a chance to see former "77" state champs greats Ed Chatman, Mathis Walker and other Leesburg greats play. Did you pattern your game after some of the greats?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"Not really but, from what I heard they were the man. You know "MJ" was the face of everyone when i was coming up but, I did get from from Jed Bedford."

Gerald Lacey:

You went to Jacksonville Wolfson in the 2001 regional quarterfinal where you scored 37 points and went toe to toe with Will Holliman and escaped from their gym with a 2 point win. You had Leesburg legend Marlyn "MJ" Bryant on that squad, how much pressure were on you guys with so much expectations place on you guys that season?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"The only thing we had on our mind was the State Final Four and Belleview. So it really was no pressure."

Belleview locked up its district title with a last-second layup by Joanthan Gibbons over Brandon Kelley and Leesburg to win, 52-50. BHS turned around and beat Leesburg again in the regional finals, 53-46. It's worth noting that the Yellow Jackets beat the Rattlers in both regular season matchups by a combined 26 points. Photo by David Mills/The Lakeland Ledger/file

Gerald Lacey:

How did that upset by Belleview shape the rest of your career and you Brandon Kelley as a person?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"I always felt like I had game but, when that happened I knew I had another level in me. It just pushed me to see how good I could be. As a person I can do anything."

Gerald Lacey:

No one expected you guys to get to the final four in 2002 after losing Marlyn Bryant to graduation. Was it less pressure on you guys that year?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"No. MJ was a big lost but the challenge for us (ME) to get to the final four was bigger."

Gerald Lacey:

Do you still stay close to the game?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:

"Yes I still play."

Gerald Lacey:

You played professionally after college. Where did you play?

Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"Went to China for a little tour"

Gerald Lacey:

Thank you Brandon for allowing me the opportunity to talk you. Hopefully we will see your jersey hanging in the rafters in the gym soon. Me and the Carver Heights Quarterback Club appreciate your contributions to the Leesburg basketball program as a player, student and person. May God continue to bless you and your family. I pray that you prosper in everything you set your heart to do and remember "GO HARD".
Brandon "BK" Kelley:
"You are Welcome Gerald. Thank You LORD Family N Friends, 02" LHS basketball."

Resources

Brandon "BK" Kelley

Leesburg Public 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.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Clayton State holds on in OT | The Augusta Chronicle

Former Jacket Standout Brandon "BK" at Clayton State University

Clayton State's Brandon Kelley (Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida) really didn't care how his team's first-round Division II Tournament game looked.

Sure, the Lakers blew a big lead late, but No. 25 Clayton State recovered to advance to the next round.

"We're just happy to be here," Kelley said.

Michael Sloan knocked down a pair of huge 3-pointers in overtime Saturday as the Lakers fended off Catawba, 72-69, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Clayton State holds on in OT | The Augusta Chronicle

Sloan, Kelley each score 13 points as 10th-ranked Lakers record fifth 20-win season

Former Jacket Standout Brandon "BK" Kelley at Clayton State University.

Twenty! Clayton State pulls away from Georgia College 60-44

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. --- February 10, 2007 --- Each season, one of the key goals for the Clayton State Laker men’s basketball is reaching 20 victories. On Saturday, that goal was reached.

Putting together arguably its best defensive performance of the season, Clayton State came away with a solid 60-44 victory at in-state Peach Belt Conference rival Georgia College. The victory improves 10^th-ranked Clayton State to 20-3 overall and 9-3 in the Peach Belt. It’s also the second straight 20-victory season for the Lakers, the third in the last four seasons and the fifth in the history of men’s basketball at Clayton State.

READ MORE CLICK BELOW

http://athletics.clayton.edu/mbb/2006-07/gacollegeroad.htm

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Kelley, Leesburg Hold Off Wolfson 89-85, February 23, 2001

February 23, 2001|By Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff

JACKSONVILLE -- Leesburg overcame a disastrous start to the second half to beat Jacksonville Wolfson 89-85 Thursday night in a boys basketball regional quarterfinal playoff game.

Leesburg (27-5), ranked seventh in the Class 5A Florida Sports Writers Association Poll, won the game thanks to the junior guard Brandon Kelley, who had the biggest scoring night in his career, and senior Marlyn Bryant, who made clutch baskets down the stretch.

With the victory, the Yellow Jackets advance to Tuesday night's Class 5A, North Region 1 semifinal against the winner of the Bay County-Fort Walton Beach Game.

Kelley finished with a career-high of 37 points and Bryant, playing on a sprained left ankle, had 14 points.

"Without Marlyn, we know we have to pick it up,'' Kelley said. "I felt like any time I touched the ball, I could score.

"But it was an entire team effort.''

Kelley's performance was matched by Wolfson's Will Holoman, who also had 37 points.
"I knew he [Holoman] was good, but I didn't realize he could create his own shots that easily,'' Leesburg Coach Chad Keller said.

Leesburg was leading 53-47 entering the third quarter, but committed four turnovers in the first 1:16 seconds at seven in the first 302 of the period.

That keyed a big 20-4 run by Wolfson (27-4), which entered the game ranked fifth in the state. Wolfson took its first lead of the night on a basket by Holoman with 6:44 remaining in the third period.

The game was reminiscent of Saturday night's district final, when Leesburg entered the fourth quarter with a 13-point lead, but lost to Belleview on a last-second basket.

"We were talking about that we weren't going to let it happen again,'' Kelley said.

"We let the Belleview game get away from us, and we weren't going to let that happen tonight.''
Bryant, who re-injured his left ankle when he appeared to slip on a wet spot on the floor earlier in the fourth period, came through in the end.

He scored seven straight points, including two on an offensive rebound with 1:32 remaining, to give Leesburg the lead for good at 84-83.

Kelley helped Leesburg get to a great start in the game, scoring 25 of his points in the first half.

"Brandon had a phenomenal game,'' Keller said. "Brandon stepped up and came through.

"It was one heck of a ballgame.''

Resources

Joe Williams

Sentinel Staff

Orlando Sentinel

www.orlandosentinel.com

February 23, 2001

Thursday, November 10, 2011

All State 4A Teams Honor Leesburg Brandon Kelley, March 29, 2002

Leesburg's Brandon Kelley Made Second Team. Two Others Got Honorable Mentions.

March 29, 2002|By Joe Williams, Sentinel Staff Writer

Individual recognition is something that Leesburg senior guard Brandon Kelley has a problem accepting because he plays in a system that stresses balance and team goals rather than individual glory.

So, excuse Kelley if he doesn't seem overwhelmed by Thursday's announcement that he was named to the second team of the Class 4A Florida Sports Writers Association's all-state team.

"It [all-state] wasn't a big deal if I made it or if I didn't make it," said Kelley, a 5-foot-9 senior guard who averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. "The big deal was going to the final four and trying to win state, but I am happy I got second team."

Brandon Kelley's Clayton State University Profile

Clayton State University Guard Brandon Kelley

Returns for his senior season at Clayton State… Set to take over as the starter at point guard following the graduation of Donte Dawson… Arguably the best point guard in the Peach Belt Conference… A “run the show” type point guard that can penetrate and shoot well from the perimeter… Set the Clayton State single-season record for 3-point field goal percentage last season at 47 percent… A legitimate All-Peach Belt hopeful this season.

Former Jacket Kelley Leads Clayton State Advances Past Catawba, 72-69 In OT, March 10, 2007

Former Jacket Standout Brandon "BK" Kelley at Clayton State University

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- No. 6-seeded Catawba overcame a 12-point deficit with 5:13 remaining to force overtime, but No. 3-seed Clayton State got two huge three-pointers from Michael Sloan in the extra frame to survive the first round of the 2007 NCAA DII South Atlantic Regional with a 72-69 victory at the George A. Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta on Saturday afternoon.

The win places Clayton State, in its first NCAA DII regionals appearance, into the semifinals against the winner of No. 2 seed Virginia Union and No. 7 seed Lander at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday in the first semifinal matchup.

Trailing 62-50 with 5:13 left, the Indians (20-11) took a page from Clayton State's nationally-ranked defense to bring them back into the game. Clayton State did not get a shot off from the field for a five-minute stretch at the end of regulation, while the Indians got two baskets from Chris Woolridge and jumpers from Brian Graves and Ahmad Murphy to cut the lead to four, 62-58, with 1:40 left. John Beugnot hit one free throw for Clayton State, then a three-pointer by SAC Freshman of the Year Antonio Houston brought Catawba to within two, 63-61, with 1:10 left.

The Lakers' Michael Sloan missed the front end of a 1-and-1, giving the Indians the ball. A foul by Clayton's Arisitide Sawodogo put Norman Munroe on the line for two free throws, which he hit to tie the game at 63-all with 28.9 seconds left. Clayton State held for the last shot, but Rod Venner's layup missed the mark, sending the game into overtime.

Neither team scored in the first two and a half minutes of overtime, until Brian Graves' reverse layup put Catawba ahead, 65-53, with 2:39 left. Sloan responded with a three from the right corner to put the Lakers back up, 66-65, with 2:15 left. Woodridge put the Indians back up with a baseline jumper with 1:46 left, 67-66, but another three-pointer from Sloan - this time from the left corner - made it 69-67 with 1:19 left. Catawba's Antonio Houston went to the line with 24.8 seconds left and made one of two free throws, making it a one-point ball game.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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 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.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Cuyler, Kelley Help Yellow Jackets Stay Ahead Of Gainesville Eastside February 27, 2002

Seniors Star For Leesburg

Lake Sports - High School Boys Basketball: Regional Semifinals - Class 4A, Region 2

February 27, 2002|By Richard Burton, Sentinel Correspondent

GAINESVILLE -- With its back against the wall, Leesburg responded with a rally and is now headed to the Class 4A, Region 2 boys basketball finals after a 76-59 road win over Gainesville Eastside in the regional semifinals Tuesday night.

The Yellow Jackets (28-5) saw a 12-point second-half lead cut to one early in the fourth quarter, but used a 20-6 run to pull away from the Rams.

Seniors Francis Cuyler and Brandon Kelley each scored 22 points for Leesburg, which will host either Port Orange Atlantic or Lecanto in Saturday night in the regional finals.

Cuyler and Kelley combined for 15 points during the final eight minutes for the Yellow Jackets.

"When it is a big game, I know that no one is going to outwork us,'' Leesburg Coach Chad Keller said. "That's what I love about these seniors. They really come to battle, especially in big games like this.''

Leesburg's seven seniors provided stability, as Eastside (22-11) continued to fight back in the second half.

"You could see it a little bit on our guys' faces in the third quarter,'' Keller said. "But they really were able to keep their composure and enable us to pull away.''

Leesburg never trailed. The Yellow Jackets took a 6-0 lead and closed the first quarter with a 12-2 run for an 18-8 advantage.

Corey Williams scored 11 points in the second quarter to help the Rams to creep back into the contest, but the Yellow Jackets still led 32-25 at halftime.

Kelley scored 12 points in the opening half and helped Leesburg force 11 turnovers over the first two quarters.

A pair of 3-pointers by Cuyler and Travis Littles, who scored 10 points in the game, sparked a 9-2 run. That gave Leesburg a 43-31 lead with 3 minutes and 24 seconds left in the third quarter before Eastside battled back.

Gerard Jackson made a pair of 3-pointers during a 12-3 run to close the third, which brought the Rams within 46-43.

Williams then scored on a putback just 36 seconds into the third quarter to pull the Rams to within one point, but from there it was all Leesburg.

Kelley scored a pair of key baskets as the Yellow Jackets scored 11 consecutive points to grab control of the contest.

Eastside never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way. Williams led the Rams with 21 points and Jackson added 14.

Eastside finished with 22 turnovers and was just four-of-18 from the floor in the final quarter, after shooting 17-of-36 over the previous three.

Resources

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