Florida’s Mid-Season Report: Top Scorers (1A-5A)
There is a lot of talent in the state of Florida. With nine classes this season, even more can be on display against the top competition. Here are the top scorers (per game) in Florida for Class 1A-5A.
1. 2018 G Cristian Rosa (Tampa Adventist) – 30.4 PPG
The leader of this list is a rather unknown to the majority of Florida high school basketball fans. Nevertheless, the Tampa Adventist junior has shined this season after averaging 16.3 points per game as a sophomore. The 5’11”, 130-pounder certainly needs to add muscle, but his performances are hard to overlook (two 40 point games, two 30 point games and seven 20 point games) for the Hawks (8-3) in 2A.
2. 2017 F Kevin Knox (Tampa Catholic) – 28.8 PPG
Kevin Knox’s per game numbers are actually down from his mark a season ago, 29.6. This is his third straight year averaging 20 plus points per game for Tampa Catholic (12-2) in 5A. He has nine 20 point performances, four 30 point games and most recently a 40 point outing in a win over Berkeley Prep. Nothing was sweeter than the 6’8″, 205-pounder’s game-winning 3-pointer in a 71-69 win over Cary (N.C.) at the John Wall Holiday Invitational as he totaled 38 points.
3. 2017 G Ethan Lasko (Weinbaum Yeshiva) – 28.1 PPG
Senior guard Ethan Lasko has two 40 point games this season. He accomplished that feat a year ago as well. Lasko dropped a career-best 45 points in a loss to Benjamin on Dec. 8. The 6’2″, 175-pounder has reached double digits in every game this season with three 30 point performances and four 20 point outings. Weinbaum Yeshiva sits at 9-8 in 4A and Lasko is cruising right now.
4. 2018 F Noah Smith (Sheridan Hills Christian) – 26.8 PPG
In 2A, junior forward Noah Smith has been steady, to say the least for Sheridan Hills Christian (3-9). The season hasn’t gone well thus far for the Sharks, but the 6’0″, 170-pound Smith has shined. Smith has three 30 point performances and a season-best mark of 47 points against Zion Luthern. He also had 21 rebounds in that game. In fact, Smith is averaging 14.1 boards per game as well.
5. 2017 G Kevin Veygel (Orangewood Christian) – 25.0 PPG
Kevin Veygel has exploded out of nowhere after posting averages of 3.8 PPG and 5.3 PPG over the past two seasons. The Orangewood Christian senior averaged 28.5 points over the first four games this season. Veygel has seven 20 point games and three 30 point performances. The 6’3″, 163-pounder has the Rams competitive at 8-7 in 4A.
6. 2018 G Steven Quintero (Coral Springs Christian) – 23.8 PPG
Coral Springs Christian is all about Steven Quintero. The Crusaders are 5-9 in 3A. However, you can’t ignore what the junior has done this season with a 48 point game on Dec. 6, two 30 point performances and six 30 point outings. At 6’3″, this is lenghty guard who can get it done as both a passer and attacker.
7. 2019 F Ben Lubarsky (Benjamin) – 23.7 PPG
After averaging 9.9 points per game last season, sophomore Ben Lubarsky has really come on as of late. The 6’5″, 210-pounder opened this season with back-to-back 30 point performances. He has another 30 point game and six 20 point outings. Benjamin is sitting at 6-8 in 4A, but Lubarsky is making it happen every night for the Buccaneers.
8. 2018 G Caleb Catto (Southwest Florida Christian) – 23.6 PPG
A two-sport athlete, Caleb Catto has shown up plenty on the football field. Right now, he’s locked in on the court for the Kings (14-1) in 3A. Catto has improved on his 16.5 PPG average from last season. The 6’4″, 180-pounder has scored 20 or more points in all but two games. In those other two, he averaged 15.5 points. Catto is really good.
9. 2017 G Donald Knight (Temple Christian) – 23.2 PPG
Donald Knight is shooting 55 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc for Temple Christian (10-2) in 2A. Knight has reached double digits in every game this season which includes seven 20 point games. The senior’s best game came on Tuesday night in a win over Eagle’s View as Knight scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had nine steals.
10. 2018 G Darion Wilson (Wildwood) – 22.0 PPG
Down in 1A, Darion Wilson and the Wildwood Wildcats are a perfect 14-0. The junior guard is actually averaging fewer points per game than a year ago (25.5 PPG). However, Wilson has shown his ability to score in bunches at his 6’0″, 150-pound frame. In a win over South Sumter last month, he scored 35 points.