The 29th Annual Great Florida ShootOut

December 26-30, 2009

The 29th Annual Great Florida ShootOut is looking to move into the new Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park.  This years line-up features many top division one basketball and some football stars of the future.  Three state champion teams and a number of runner ups with strong returning lineups will clash at the 2009 Great Florida ShootOut. 

American Heritage, Plantation, FLORIDA

21-6 last year, the runner up in Regional’s and the ‘08 Great Florida ShootOut return with a powerful line up.  Coach Danny Herz will have his team ready to make a run for the championship.  They return Seniors: 6’7” Remi Barry, 6’8” Jake Wheeler, 6’8” Marcus Blake and 6’2” Juan Ferrales. Coach Herz lists 9th grader Mikon Hewitt as someone to watch.

Fort Myers High School, Ft. Myers, FLORIDA

20-9 last year, they are fourteen time district champions (5/5 in last 5 years) and return their seven top players (all five starters). Expect big things from this team in 2009-10 as they make their first appearance in the Great Florida ShootOut.  Last year’s loss to South Florida’s powerhouse Dillard in the Regional Quarter Finals is on their minds as they prepare for their run this year.   This year, Fort Myers has dropped down to 4A and are expected to be a strong contender for the state title. The Green Wave, coached by Scott Guttery, FACA 5A-15 (2009) coach of the year, will bring a team ready to compete. They are led by Seniors 6’4” Colin Henry, 6’2” Buddy McClendon, 6’4” Tyler Manning and Juniors 6’3” Evin Graham and 6’4” Matt Yance. 

Lakeland Kathleen, Lakeland, FLORIDA          

20-7 last year, 6th in the state and a regional runner up.  This team is loaded with five returning starters featuring Seniors: 6’6” Lazedirick Williams, 6’6” Dominque Gilberr, 6’1” Gionni Paul, 6’0” VanDerkel Clayton and 6’0” Christian Baldwin.  Head coach Drew Davis in his 9th year, has a 204-56 record and will bring a team ready to compete.

Mariner High School, Cape Coral, FLORIDA   

13-14 last year, this team returns nine of their top players including their starting five.  Last year they were in the State’s top 10 in 3 point shots.  While both guards are explosive players, the biggest key will be the emergence of 6’6” Clint Johnson. They also bring 6’3” Kameron Beach and 6’0” Ricardo Barsesa.  Coach James Harris says, ”this is the most talented team I will have coached”.

Miller Grove, Lithonia, GEORGIA

30-3 last year, AAAA State Champions, #1 in the state and #41 on ESPN RISE. This new state powerhouse returns three starters.  They come loaded with Division 1 prospects; Seniors: 6’9” Donte Williams, 6’7” Adarius Fulton, Junior 6’7” Henry Brooks and Sophomore 6’8 Tony Parker.

Northeast High School, Oakland Park, FLORIDA

21-7 last year, District Champ and they made it to the regional semi finals with a young squad.  They are still young, lead by Senior 6’2” Jalani Hewitt, Juniors: 6’4” Daniel Sapp, 6’6” Trevor Franklin, Dervin Johnson and Sophomore: 6’9” Demitrius Henry. Coached by Gerald Gillion in his second year, this will be an exciting team to watch.

Oak Ridge High School, Orlando, FLORIDA

17-9 last year, playing in the tough metro conference ranked as high as 9th in the state. They return four starters featuring Seniors: 6’9” Cady Lalanne, 6’5” Viadimir Time, and 6’2” O’Niel Lubin.  This team knows how to win big games with a second place finish in Illinois last year.

Orlando Christian Prep, Orlando, FLORIDA

26-2 last year, State Champions, and #1 in the state. Orlando Christian is always a strong team coached by Reggie Kohn who is 135-24. They return three starters; Seniors 6’7” Orlando Parker, 6’0” Josh Castellanis and Sophomore 6’3” Isaac Cohn.  This is a winning team. Last year they won the Winter Park Rotary Classic and Chick Fill A Classic.

Osceola High School, Kissimmee, FLORIDA

19-10 last year with a trip to the state playoffs under their belt.  Three strong starters return with Seniors: 5’11” Brenton Williams, and 6’2” B.J. Butler (committed U of GA football). They also have Junior 6’3” Jedarian Jackson and Sophomore 5’9” Michael Sanchez.  We welcome head coach Steve Mason, a long time staffer at Osceola. Steve was just named Head Coach, he has years of ShootOut experience.                          

Poinciana High School, Kissimmee, FLORIDA

16-10 last year with a trip to regionals, our host team continues to develop their skills.  Coached by ShootOut committee member Jay Lunce, this team is working very hard to get to the next level.  With three starters returning, this team will be led by Senior 6’0” Wayne Ricks, and Juniors 5’10” Marc Osanto and 5’10” Lex Curry.

Richwood High School , Monroe, LOUISIANA

23-11 State Champion, #4 in the state. They return three starters to a strong team.  Featuring Seniors:  6’7” LeDon Corter, 6’6” LeDarrin Williams, 6’4” Merceis Davis, and Junior D’Audre Martin all ranked as Division 1 prospects.  They are coached by Terry Martin who is 168-32 at Richwood and overall 219-90.  We can expect another strong showing from Louisiana following ‘08 GFLSO champion Metairie Park Country Day out of the Bijou.

Rockledge High School, Rockledge, FLORIDA

21-7 last year and was a Regional finalist losing to State Champion Cocoa (at District’s and Regional’s). They return four hungry starters with Division 1 potential.  Seniors 5’8” Ralph Williams, 6’8” Jamaine Dean and 6’8” Eric Eversley along with Junior 6’2” Brandon Poore and Sophomore 6’3” Darius World.   Coach Logan Keith is building a strong program in Rockledge and it will be fun to watch his team at this level.                  

Saint Francis De Sales, Columbus, OHIO        

17-3 and #4 in the state, this will be a fun team to watch. They feature team captain 6’3” Nick Kellogg (son of CBS Basketball Analyst Clark Kellogg) and 5’10” Adam Griffin (son of two time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin) along with 6’6” Chris Rock. All three are high Division 1 prospects, although Adam is leaning toward football.  This team is a proven winner with four straight league titles and district champions in ‘06, ‘07 and runner up in ‘08.  Coached by Blair Albright, who is 90-28, this team will be ready to play.                         

Savannah High School, Savannah,  GEORGIA

25-5 last year, regional champion they return for another shot at the GFLSO title.  Returning two starters, this will be another quality team coached by Tim Jordan who is 329-96.  This team features Senior 6’2” Jim Porter, and Juniors: 6’2” James Sinclair, 5’8” Jontay Mitchell, and 6’5” Dahsheen Maxwell, as well as Sophomore 6’4” Kaven Freeman.

St. Petersburg High School, St. Petersburg, FLORIDA  

24-6 last year and district runner up, this team returns four starters to a school with a winning tradition.  Coached by Chris Blackwell, who is 154-56, this team features Seniors: 6’2” Gabriel Maton, 6’4” Jerry Poindexter Brown, 5’10” Allen Wilson and Junior 6’4” Darion Bentley. These players are all Division 1 prospects.

TW Andrews, NORTH CAROLINA

24-5 last year with a 5th place finish at the GFLSO and a trip to the elite 8 in North Carolina.  This team returns loaded with Division 1 football and basketball standouts.  Seniors: 5’11” Quan Stevenson, 6’2” Terry Biles, Juniors: 6’4” Torian Showers , 6’1” Mark Johnson and Sophomore 5’11” Corban Collins.  They are coached by James Abell and are a quality program.