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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, 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.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Douglass scores 30 on near perfect shooting as Limestone falls 87-78 to Florida Southern, November 25, 2011

Jarrell Douglass delivered a masterful performance with 12-of-13 shooting and game-highs of 30 points and 10 rebounds as Limestone dropped an 87-78 decision at Florida Southern on Friday, November 25, 2011 in Lakeland, Fla.

By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director

11/25/2011 10:20:00 PM

Box Score

Boxscore: Florida Southern 87, Limestone 78

LAKELAND, Fla. – Senior forward Jarrell Douglass (Leesburg, Fla.) scored a game-high 30 points as Limestone (2-3) fell 87-78 to Florida Southern (3-1) in an NCAA Division II men’s basketball game on Friday, November 25. The game was a part of the Terrace Hotel/Ledger Tournament hosted by FSC.

Douglass hit his first 15 shots of the night and finished with game-highs of 30 points and 10 rebounds while going 12-of-13 from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul line. His first miss of the night came from the line at 7:28 of the second half and his lone miss from the floor was on his second-to-last attempt, a long three-pointer, with 29 seconds to play.

Limestone's Douglass earns second Conference Carolinas Player of the Week

By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director

11/29/2011 12:00:00 PM

Conference Carolinas Release

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Limestone College senior forward Jarrell Douglass (Leesburg, Fla.) has been named the Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Player of the Week as announced by the league on Tuesday, November 29.

Douglass posted one of the most impressive weeks of his career against top notch competition at the Terrace Hotel/Ledger Tournament in Lakeland, Fla. in order to earn the honor for the second time over the first three weeks of this season.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Jackets Number 2 in Florida Hoops Top 10 Poll, November 23, 2011

Florida Hoops Class 6A

Preseason High School Top 10

SCHOOL
1. Miami Norland

2. Leesburg

3. Gainesville

4. Tampa Sickles

5. Dover Strawberry Crest

6. Winter Haven

7. Pembroke Pines Charter

8. Naples Barron Collier

9. Orange Park Ridgeview

10. Fort Myers

Resources

Florida Hoops

www.floridahoops.com

Jackets Ranked In 2011-2012 Preseason Powerade State Poll

By Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

November 23, 2011

LEESBURG - The defending Class 4A Boys Basketball State Champions Leesburg High School begins the 2011-2012 ranked in the Powerade State Poll. The Jackets begin the season as the number 7th ranked team in the state of Florida. The poll includes teams from all classifications.

For more Sunshine State coverage, visit the Florida blog at ESPNHS.com/FL.

1 (NR)Montverde Academy, Montverde, FL 0-0

2 (NR)Arlington Country Day School, Jacksonville, FL 0-0

3 (NR)Orlando Christian Prep, Orlando, FL 0-0

4 (NR)Dwyer Palm Beach Gardens, FL 0-0

5 (NR)Dr. Phillips, Orlando, FL 0-0

6 (NR)Tampa Prep, Tampa, FL 0-0

7 (NR)Leesburg, Leesburg, FL 0-0

8 (NR)Faith Baptist Christian School, Brandon, FL 0-0

9 (NR)Father Lopez, Daytona Beach, FL 0-0

10 (NR)Pine Crest, Fort Lauderdale, FL 0-0

11 (NR)First Academy, Leesburg, FL 0-0

12 (NR)Olympia, Orlando, FL0-0

13 (NR)Northeast, Oakland Park, FL 0-0

14 (NR)The Rock School, Gainesville, FL 0-0

15 (NR)Monsignor Edward Pace, Miami, FL 0-0

16 (NR)Dillard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 0-0

17 (NR)Miami Norland, Miami, FL 0-0

18 (NR)Jones, Orlando, FL 0-0

19 (NR)The Sagemont School, Weston, FL 0-0

20 (NR)Ely Pompano Beach, FL 0-0

21 (NR)IMG Academies, Bradenton, FL 0-0

22 (NR)West Oaks, Orlando, FL 0-0

23 (NR)Dr. Krop, Miami, FL 0-0

24 (NR)Summit Christian, West Palm Beach, FL 0-0

25 (NR)Nature Coast Tech, Brooksville, FL 0-0

Resources

www.espn.com

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Wekiva serves up 26-team, 16-game boys basketball holiday feast, November 22, 2011

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.

By Buddy Collings

Orlando Sentinel

bcollings@tribune.com

www.orlandosentinel.com

November 21, 2011

Just in time for our Thanksgiving weekend sports feast, Wekiva boys basketball coach Scott Williams serves up a detailed breakdown of every team participating in his second annual Metro vs. Florida Challenge.

First, here is the schedule for an event that has 11 of our Sentinel Super 16 teams, topped by No. 3 Olympia, No. 4 Dr. Phillips, No. 5 Leesburg and No. 6 First Academy; along with state-ranked Miami Monsignor Pace. All 16 games are Wekiva (2501 N. Hiawassee Rd., Apopka). Admission is $10 for a day, $15 for a 2-day pass:

Friday – Wekiva vs. Lake Highland Prep 10 a.m.; East River vs. Kissimmee Osceola 11:45; Ocoee vs. Poinciana 1:30; Evans vs. Lake Region 3:15; Edgewater vs. Father Lopez 5; Dr. Phillips vs. First Academy 6:45; West Orange vs. Fort Myers 8:30; Olympia vs. Miami Monsignor Pace 10:15.

Saturday – Apopka vs. Mainland 10 a.m.; Oak Ridge vs. Rockledge 11:45; Winter Park vs. Bartow 1:30; Timber Creek vs. Lake Highland Prep 3:15; West Orange vs. Miami Monsignor Pace 5; Wekiva vs. Lake Region 6:45; Olympia vs. Leesburg 8:30; Boone vs. Lake Brantley 10:15. READ MORE CLICK BELOW:

Super 16 boys basketball preseason rankings

Resources

Buddy Collings

Orlando Sentinel

bcollings@tribune.com

www.orlandosentinel.com

November 21, 2011