10 Best: Largo vs. Boca Ciega
The top two teams in Class 7A-District 9 played clashed on Wednesday night as host Boca Ciega held on for a 45-44 win over Largo. In a game that saw only 27 first half points, the two teams found their…
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Continue ReadingThe top two teams in Class 7A-District 9 played clashed on Wednesday night as host Boca Ciega held on for a 45-44 win over Largo.
In a game that saw only 27 first half points, the two teams found their offenses over the final 16 minutes with 62 second half points.
Boca Ciega (7-2) revenged its loss at Largo earlier this season behind 17 points from junior center Jerroda Briscoe and senior guard Trevor Carrier’s eight points.
Senior guard Julian Cooney led Largo (10-5) with 12 points while junior guard Zhahidi Robinson pitched in with seven points of his own.
Here are the 10 best performers from this game.
MVP: Jerroda Briscoe (Boca Ciega)
Jerroda Briscoe is dripping in athleticism. The junior center scored a game-best 17 points including 12 in the second half alone. A wide receiver on the football team and track and field runner, Briscoe showed his wheels in transition time and time again. He had some big blocks in both throughout and used his length to come up with boards. As long as he continues to add muscle, he’s going to be a really good 2018 prospect.
Best offensive performance: Julian Cooney (Largo)
Julian Cooney recorded six of Largo’s 12 points in the fourth quarter. He finished with a team-high 12 points after scoring only one at the break. The senior guard is the top offensive option and found his grove often against the Pirates.
Best defensive performance: Isaiah Bellamy (Largo)
Coming in and out of the game, Isaiah Bellamy showed a lot of poise for Largo at his 6’5″, 220-pound frame. A quarterback for the Packers football team, he finished with four points and six rebounds. On one possession alone, he came up with two boards. Bellamy is a key big for Largo.
Best attacker: Zhahidi Robinson (Largo)
Three 3’s were made in the second half and Zhahidi Robinson had the only one for Largo. He had eight points against Boca Ciega and the majority of his buckets came as an attacker. Robinson is someone who can make plays on his own and he showed off a bit.
Best intangibles: Trevor Carrier (Boca Ciega)
Trevor Carrier is a really good player. Six of the senior’s eight points came in the first half, but he continued to hustle and get his teammates the ball when it mattered most. Carrier is really good when he finds open space and he did that at times when Largo lost sight.
Best under-the-radar performance: Dollar Davis (Boca Ciega)
I know Dollar Davis had no points in this one, but the junior guard did something important in the second half. He kept his offense balanced by dribbling and setting the calls up for each and every possession. Davis is a leader.
Best catch and shoot guy: Nate Larkins (Boca Ciega)
This game featured more athletes than pure shooters. However, Pirates senior guard Nate Larkins made the most of his misses count so to speak. He didn’t hit a field goal, but his quick shots caught Largo off guard and drew fouls. He hit 5-of-6 from the line for all five of his points.
Best underclassmen: Nirobi Peeler (Largo)
Largo trusted Nirobi Peeler often in this game. He helped the Packers cut into the deficit down the stretch as he scored three points including a key basket with under three minutes left. Peeler is only as sophomore and will get more looks as the season moves forward.
Best energy: Alonzo Carter (Boca Ciega)
Alonzo Carter had the game-winning jumper with 19.3 seconds left. He hit the shot near the free throw line and drew the foul. The junior had only six points all night, but nothing was bigger than his clutch shot in transition to ultimately give the Pirates the district victory (video here).
Best athlete: Bobby Roundtree (Largo)
Senior Bobby Roundtree is a football player first. With 21 offers, the 6’5″, 215-pound defensive end uses his pure athleticism to his advantage as a center in basketball. He scored six points in this game. Roundtree added four big points late as the two sides went back and forth.